DRI, a division of the Ukraine-based DTEK group, has made significant progress on its 133 MW battery storage project in Trzebinia, Poland, by acquiring full ownership from Columbus Energy. The acquisition marks a crucial milestone for the EU renewables arm of DTEK, which had previously announced its intent to build the largest battery storage facility in southern Poland earlier this year.
The Trzebinia project, which boasts a 4-hour storage capacity of 532 MWh, is on track to commence construction later this year, with commercial operations expected to begin in January 2027. This project aligns with DRI’s broader goal of developing up to 1 GW of renewable energy and storage capacity in Poland by 2030.
The battery storage initiative will play a key role in stabilizing Poland’s electricity grid and enhancing the country’s renewable energy infrastructure. The project was awarded through the 2022 Capacity Market auction organized by PSE, Poland’s Transmission System Operator, which requires DRI to provide energy capacity for 17 years starting from 2027.
DRI CEO John Stuart expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting the importance of battery storage technology in accelerating the energy transition. He noted that battery storage can enhance grid reliability, optimize energy costs, and expand renewable energy production, contributing to Poland’s goal of achieving 62 GW of installed renewable energy by 2030.
In addition to the Trzebinia project, DRI operates two projects in Romania—a 53 MW solar farm in Glodeni and a 60 MW wind farm in Ruginoasa, the first new wind farm in Romania in a decade. The company is also developing six additional solar and onshore wind projects in Italy, Romania, and Croatia.