RWE has started construction of its first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Italy.
The 62,5-megawatts (MW) Ragusa battery will be located in Sicily. It will consist of 42 containers with lithium-ion batteries, being able to deliver its maximum output for 4 hours. This corresponds to a nominal storage capacity of 262,5 megawatt hours (MWh). Commissioning is scheduled for the end of 2027.
Sopna Sury, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia: “The start of construction of our Ragusa battery storage marks an important milestone. We have been operating in Italy for many years, using the energy from the wind and the sun. In a world of growing renewable energy, battery storage systems are crucial for stabilising the grid and ensuring that electricity is used when it is needed most. Ragusa battery will be capable of covering the evening peak demand of around 21.000 households for 4 hours. We look forward to establishing further battery storage capacity in Italy soon – in addition to wind and solar power – in order to support Italy in building a resilient energy system.”
Ragusa battery will provide balancing energy to stabilise the electricity grid. It also features the technology necessary to provide new grid forming services such as instantaneous reserve (inertia). In addition to the batteries, RWE will build the associated grid infrastructure. This includes a high-voltage transformer to connect to the 150-kV grid.
Battery storage at RWE
As a driver of the energy transition, RWE develops, builds and operates battery storage systems in the US, Europe and Australia. Globally, RWE currently operates battery storage systems with a total capacity of around 1.7 gigawatts (GW) and 3 GW are under construction. As an integral part of its growth strategy, RWE plans to significantly expand its battery storage capacities worldwide.
RWE Renewables Italia – strong presence in Italy’s renewables market
RWE is a key player in the Italian renewables market. The company takes an integrated project approach that incorporates the development, construction and operation as well as the marketing of wind farms and solar plants. With 18 onshore wind farms, one photovoltaic plant and three agrivoltaic plants in operation, RWE currently manages a total installed capacity of approximately 670 MW in Italy, enough to supply green electricity to more than 550,000 Italian households. In addition, RWE currently has around 200 MW of further wind and solar capacity under construction in Italy.
Images of RWE battery storage facilities (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre: