The European Commission approves a joint venture for batteries in Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy

The European Commission has approved, based on European rules regarding economic concentrations, the creation of a joint venture between Public Power Corporation and Metlen Energy & Metals, both from Greece. The company will operate electricity storage projects in batteries in Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy, in a previously announced portfolio of up to 1,500 MW.

The European Commission has approved the creation of a joint venture between Public Power Corporation and Metlen Energy & Metals, both from Greece, for the operation of electricity storage facilities in batteries in Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy.

The decision was made based on the European Regulation regarding economic concentrations. The Commission concluded that the transaction does not raise competition issues, considering the limited combined market position of the companies after the operation. The case was examined through the simplified procedure.

In short The European Commission has approved the joint venture between Public Power Corporation and Metlen Energy & Metals. The new company will operate electricity storage facilities in batteries in Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy. The transaction was authorized based on EU rules regarding economic concentrations and was examined through the simplified procedure. PPC and Metlen previously announced that the projects could reach 1,500 MW and 3,000 MWh in the three countries. Battery storage is becoming increasingly important for the integration of renewable energy and for the stability of electrical grids.

The Commission's announcement does not represent European funding for projects nor a decision regarding the technical authorization of each facility. It is a competition approval, through which the European executive finds that the joint venture will not significantly affect competition in the targeted markets.

However, the case is relevant for Romania as it directly concerns electricity storage infrastructure. Large-scale batteries can absorb electricity when production is high, especially from renewable sources, and can later deliver it to the grid when production decreases or consumption increases.

Public Power Corporation and Metlen announced in March 2026 an agreement for the creation of a joint venture held in equal proportions. According to the companies' announcement, the portfolio could reach 1,500 MW and 3,000 MWh in Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy, with 1,000 MW expected to be implemented in the next 12 months.

The announced projects target battery storage systems with a duration of two hours, based on LFP technology, that is lithium, iron, and phosphate. The companies presented these systems as solutions to support photovoltaic and wind farms and to increase the stability of the energy system.

For Romania, the stakes are related to the accelerated pace of investments in renewable energy and the need for system flexibility. Without storage capacity, solar and wind production can put pressure on the grid during periods of high production and can leave gaps when the weather does not help.

A report from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre shows that storage systems are considered essential for the integration of renewable energy, grid stability, and supply security. The report also notes that lithium-ion batteries are becoming the dominant technology in European projects that are in preparation or construction.

In this context, the approval of the PPC–Metlen joint venture indicates the interest of regional energy companies in the storage market in Southeast Europe. The Commission's decision removes the competition barrier at the European level, but the actual development of the facilities will depend on concrete projects, authorizations, grid connections, and the commercial conditions in each country.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/comisia-europeana-aproba-o-societate-mixta-pentru-baterii-in-romania-bulgaria-si-italia