Poland’s state-owned utility PGE Group has taken another decisive step in its energy transition strategy, unveiling a tender for one of the country’s largest battery energy storage systems (BESS). The planned facility in Gryfino will deliver 400 MW of power output and at least 800 MWh of capacity—equivalent to two hours of full discharge.
The project will be built at PGE’s Dolna Odra Power Plant in northwestern Poland, an area already central to the utility’s decarbonisation plans. Once operational, the installation will significantly strengthen Poland’s ability to stabilise the grid as the country ramps up its renewable energy generation.
A rapid build-out of energy storage
The Gryfino announcement comes just weeks after PGE invited bids for another large-scale project: a 900 MWh battery facility near the Żarnowiec Pumped Storage Power Plant. These back-to-back tenders highlight the company’s determination to accelerate its portfolio of commercial and industrial energy storage assets.
PGE’s president, Dariusz Marzec, emphasised that these projects are not isolated ventures but part of a long-term strategy. The utility aims to increase its total storage portfolio to 18.5 GWh by 2035, with at least 800 MW of new capacity commissioned by 2030. Currently, PGE controls roughly 90% of Poland’s pumped-storage hydropower assets, positioning it as the country’s dominant player in the energy storage sector.
Why large-scale BESS matters in Poland
Poland is in the midst of a challenging energy transition. With coal still accounting for around two-thirds of power generation, the shift to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar is creating new demands for grid flexibility. Large-scale battery energy storage systems offer a fast-response solution to balance supply and demand, reduce grid congestion, and support the integration of intermittent renewables.
In this context, commercial and industrial energy storage (C&I ESS) is also gaining momentum, as businesses look to hedge against volatile electricity prices and secure more reliable energy supply. While Poland’s storage market is still young compared to those of Germany or the UK, the scale of PGE’s upcoming projects suggests rapid maturation.
Strategic implications for Europe
Beyond national impact, PGE’s storage expansion could strengthen cross-border energy security within Central Europe. The Dolna Odra location, close to Germany, may allow future interconnection benefits—helping smooth electricity flows across markets. As the EU pushes for deeper regional integration of energy systems, Poland’s growing storage fleet will likely play a larger role in supporting continental grid stability.
The road ahead
The tender for the Żarnowiec facility is already open under Poland’s Public Procurement Law, with bids due by September 16, 2025. The Gryfino tender is expected to attract strong interest from leading BESS developers and technology suppliers, particularly as Europe faces rising demand for grid-scale storage.
If PGE maintains its current pace, Poland could soon emerge as one of Europe’s fastest-growing battery storage markets—a development that would not only reshape its domestic energy mix but also enhance resilience across the broader European power system.
BATTLINK Battery Energy Storage Systems Expert