The European Commission funds a battery project linked to EDP power plant in Portugal
BiggBatt, a 150 MW battery project to be located next to the Ribatejo power plant (Portugal) has been one of the European projects selected by the Innovation Fund
The European Comission through the Innovation Fund program has recognized the innovative character of EDP’s project to build one of the largest battery systems in Europe connected to a combined cycle power plant. This recognition reinforces the group's global leadership in the energy transition and the potential of the Iberian Peninsula in this decarbonization process.
The BiggBatt project consists of the installation of 150 MW of storage batteries in Carregado, next to the Ribatejo combined cycle power plant. By taking advantage of existing infrastructures, it demonstrates not only the optimization of resources, but also the feasibility of scalable, flexible and innovative solutions to reduce emissions. Today, storage systems are essential to ensure the energy transition and renewable energy storage brings flexibility to the electricity system.
The European Innovation Fund, managed by the European Commission, is one of the largest and most competitive public funding instruments to support the development of innovative low-carbon technologies. As such, it is key to meeting the European Union's decarbonization commitments and supporting the strategic vision of a Europe capable of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
EDP has already counted on the GreenH2Atlantic (Portugal) and Asturias H2 Valley (Spain) projects in previous editions of this fund. BigBATT, the only Portuguese project selected by the fund in this edition, is also the only storage initiative approved in medium and large-scale applications. This project will benefit from EDP's experience in the development of energy infrastructures and will use the most advanced battery technology from market leaders.
The battery, with a capacity of at least two hours, will be build and operated near the Ribatejo combined cycle power plant, thus providing a reliable and efficient mechanism for storing surplus renewable energy during off-peak periods and supplying it during peak demand periods, reducing the use of gas. This has a double advantage: on the one hand, it optimizes renewable production and, on the other, it contributes to the stability and reliability of the power grid.
The project will contribute to significantly reducing CO2 emissions by storing and supplying renewable electricity to the grid, improving the overall efficiency and environmental sustainability of the energy production system.
Battery energy storage systems play a crucial role in the energy transition, responding to some of the main challenges associated with the integration of renewable sources into the energy mix, such as storing surplus energy produced during peak hours and using it to maintain a stable supply. EDP is firmly committed to the investment and development of these storage projects, given their importance in accelerating the energy transition on a global scale. The group's objective, defined in its 2023-26 Business Plan, is to reach a storage capacity of more than 500 MW worldwide.