French renewable energy producer Akuo has announced plans to construct a battery energy storage system (BESS) with an 80MW power capacity and 220MWh of energy storage in Borba, Portugal.
The system will integrate with the existing Santas photovoltaic (PV) plant and is expected to become operational by the second quarter of 2027 (Q2 2027).
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The SantasBAT project has received nearly €15m ($17.32m) in funding from the PRR – Recovery and Resilience Plan, part of the NextGenerationEU framework.
This financial support is intended to accelerate the development of energy storage technologies, strengthening the sustainability and resilience of Portugal’s electricity grid.
Operational since September 2024, the Santas solar plant currently has an installed capacity of 181MW.
The integration of SantasBAT will allow the plant to store excess energy generated during daylight hours for use when demand peaks or solar output drops.
This storage capability is comparable to meeting the electricity demands of a city such as Évora for approximately five hours.
SantasBAT aims to optimise the use of renewable energy generated at the Santas plant while strengthening supply security and reliability by smoothing the inherent fluctuations in renewable output.
This initiative supports Portugal’s goal of reaching 85% renewable energy in total electricity generation by 2030, advancing energy independence and decarbonisation efforts.
During the construction phase, which runs until mid-2027, Akuo has committed to minimising local impacts, focusing on community safety and respect.
Akuo Portugal CEO João Macedo said: “SantasBAT will be a significant instrument for the energy transition that Portugal has been striving to promote within its electricity grid.
“Energy storage is a natural next step as renewable capacity grows. By providing essential ancillary services and enabling the shift of electricity generated during the day to periods of higher demand, storage helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels, supports greater integration of renewables and strengthens Portugal’s energy independence.”
