Battery Maker Fluence Energy Contracted to Deliver 200 MW of Battery Storage across Ukraine
Ukrainian private energy developer DTEK has selected U.S.-based battery storage supplier Fluence Energy B.V. to supply the war-torn nation with 200 MW in energy storage capacity.
The batteries will be spread out over six plants, helping enhance grid stability and energy independence within Ukraine, which has been at war since Russia invaded more than two years ago. The DTEK contract is worth about $143.5 million, with plans to complete the project installation by October and have the systems operationally ready before the 2025/26 winter season.
The project is a part of DTEK’s FightforLight campaign, which arranges for power supply to Ukrainians under the extremes of war.
“Battery storage is a critical element in Ukraine’s vision to build a decentralised energy system that reduces our emissions and enhances our energy security,” DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko said in a statement. “The partnership with Fluence further signals our commitment to leading the way in battery storage, both in Ukraine and across Europe. Together, we will deliver state-of-the-art technology that will strengthen Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.”
The energy storage plants will be located at multiple sites across Ukraine, with capacities ranging from 20 MW to 50 MW. Together, they will store up to 400 MWh of electricity – enough to supply two hours of power to 600,000 homes (equivalent to roughly half the households in Kyiv).
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the Russan army has repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure inside Ukraine, causing significant damage, according to a 2023 report posted on the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s website. In terms of electricity, some of the war impacts has been offset because Ukraine’s grid was previously synchronized with the European Union.
The energy storage systems will provide frequency and power balancing services to stabilize the Ukrainian power grid on behalf of Ukrainian Transmission System Operator Ukrenergo. The decentralized nature of the project will allow the power system to avoid outages and restore power system stability quickly at a local level as compared to previous methods.
In 2023, the U.S. government signed a memorandum of understanding to fund $522 million toward support and restoration of the power grid in Ukraine.
The 400-MWh capacity of the Fluence batteries is estimated as enough to supply two hours of power to 600,000 homes—roughly half of Kyiv households, according to the release.
“This initiative not only demonstrates Fluence’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s energy security but also highlights our leadership in providing cutting-edge storage solutions to our customers,” Fluence CEO Julian Nebreda said. “The project aligns with our mission to transform the way we power our world, laying the foundation for a more resilient, decentralized energy future for Ukraine.”
Fluence Energy was created in 2017 as a joint venture combination of energy storage divisions within AES Corp. and Siemens. Since officially launching seven years ago, Fluence has produced and delivered more than 35 GWh of energy storage capacity globally, according to the company.
Among its European projects include a 201-MW portfolio in Lithuania and 450 MW of energy storage connecting to the German electricity transmission system.
Siemens and AES separated Fluence and took it public in 2021. The company began U.S. production of its Cube battery pack systems last year through a contract manufacturer in Utah.
Microgrid deployment also has aided Ukraine’s electricity sector in overcoming the ravages of war. Solar and battery storage microgrids have powered hospitals and other mission-critical facilities.
Read more about Ukraine's Solar Microgrids at Microgrid Knowledge
