ContourGlobal has completed and officially opened its Bulgarian extraordinary 202-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS). Whether you live there or not, this inauguration is a big deal for the country’s energy future. This facility is situated in the Stara Zagora region. With a listed capacity of 500 megawatt-hours (MWh), it has now completed its commissioning and is fully operational. The BESS will play a key role in the day-ahead and intraday phases of the national electricity market. This critical participation will further improve the reliability of the region’s power supply.
The commissioning ceremony, attended by ContourGlobal’s CEO Antonio Cammisecra, highlighted the company’s commitment to advancing battery storage technology. The project features state-of-the-art battery technology. So far, it consists of 110 battery skids donated by BYD and 28 integrated power conversion systems and transformer units. The building covers an area of 25,000 square meters, located inside the boundaries of the ME3 TPP coal-fired power plant. This expansion further strengthens ContourGlobal’s strategic renewable energy platform.
In January 2025 ContourGlobal purchased their second US solar photovoltaic portfolio containing an aggregate capacity of 446 megawatt-peak. They are now in the process of building a 202MW Battery Energy Storage System phase two development on the same site. This strategic acquisition furthers the company’s mission to broaden its energy ecosystem and solutions. It plans to grow its footprint within renewable space.
Cammisecra emphasized the importance of the new BESS facility, stating, “The commercial operation of our 202MW/500MWh BESS plant represents a significant step forward for battery storage development in Bulgaria and underscores ContourGlobal’s ability to deliver large-scale storage solutions across different markets and technologies.”
ContourGlobal recently announced their expansion into battery storage. This decision increases energy reliability, while furthering the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. The firm operates six total active coal-fired units at ME3 TPP. They provide critical reliability services by filling the need for electricity during peak demand, helping to support a diverse and balanced energy mix.
ContourGlobal has been readjusting its footprint lately, pivoting toward a battery energy storage solution. In total, the Bulgarian company’s portfolio now greatly expands to 3 GWh of operating BESS projects.