Portugal opens BESS Tender

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This initiative aims to increase the capacity and flexibility of the national public grid, optimising the electrical system to handle the expected rise in electricity consumption.

The tender aims to introduce flexibility mechanisms in the public grid to optimise and manage the electrical system. This is particularly important given the expected significant increase in electricity consumption due to industrial investments in green hydrogen and the necessary renewable electricity generation capacity. The initiative also seeks to distribute and utilise renewable energy by reinforcing or expanding the network, creating the essential infrastructure for decarbonising energy systems, and contributing substantially to the national targets established for 2030.
 

Funding details

Total subsidy amount: €99,750,000.00.
Support for each project: Projects will be supported up to 20% of eligible costs, with a maximum of €30 million per company and project.

Project Requirements

Completion timeline: The deadline for applications is 2 September and they must be submitted on the Environmental Fund portal. Projects must be completed by 31 December 2025.

Storage capacity: Installation of at least 500 MW of energy storage capacity in the electrical network (both transmission and distribution levels).
Percentage of renewable energy: The storage component must absorb at least 75% of its energy annually from the directly connected renewable energy production installation.

System size: Installation of battery-based electrical energy storage systems at the transmission and distribution network scale with a nominal power of at least 1 MVA, ensuring maximum power charging and discharging for a minimum of two hours. These systems will be associated with independent power production centres with an installed power greater than 1 MVA, directly connected to the grid from renewable energy sources.

This open tender marks a milestone for Portugal’s development of investments in storage systems that will add flexibility and security to the electrical grid, allowing renewable energy to be stored during periods of excess production for use during times of high demand or low energy supply. This approach will lead to network savings and reduce reliance on expensive fossil fuels, minimising energy supply failures.