Hyperion Renewables, in partnership with Omexom Portugal and advanced battery manufacturer Saft, has begun construction of Portugal’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, marking a major milestone in the country’s energy transition and grid modernization efforts.
Announced on December 17, the projects are located in Estremoz and Évora and represent Hyperion’s first battery storage developments in Portugal. With a combined injection power of 16 MW and storage capacity of 64 MWh, the systems are co-located with existing solar photovoltaic plants of 29 MWp and 52 MWp, enabling excess solar power to be stored during peak generation hours and dispatched when demand is higher.
According to the companies, the daily stored energy will be sufficient to supply more than 5,000 households, enhancing grid stability, reducing renewable curtailment, and supporting Portugal’s decarbonisation and energy independence goals.
The projects will be executed by Omexom Portugal, which is responsible for design, supply and Balance of Plant (BoP) construction, while Saft will deliver the core battery technology. This includes 21 Intensium® Shift+ battery containers, grid-forming power conversion systems, and advanced energy and power management solutions. Both projects have also received partial funding under Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), backed by the European Union.
Industry observers view the developments as a significant step in integrating solar generation with storage, a model expected to dominate renewable power systems over the next decade. These installations are among the first hybrid solar-plus-storage projects to move into implementation in the Iberian Peninsula.
Beyond their energy impact, the projects are expected to generate between 25 and 30 direct and indirect jobs during construction and operation, contributing to local economic development and strengthening Portugal’s energy technology ecosystem.
Aytea Alvarez Amandi, CEO of Hyperion Renewables, said the projects mark a strategic entry into the battery storage segment for the company. “Combining storage with solar generation strengthens the efficiency and resilience of our assets while creating sustainable value for the energy system and local communities,” she said, adding that Hyperion remains committed to building a more reliable and innovative clean energy future.
Saft’s ESS Sales Director for Europe, Carlos Gonzalez, said the projects will help address voltage and frequency stability challenges associated with high renewable penetration. “Together, we are implementing an advanced solution for the safe and effective integration of photovoltaic solar energy into the grid,” he noted.
Gonçalo Sampaio, Managing Director of Omexom Portugal, said the projects represent an important step in reinforcing Portugal’s renewable infrastructure. He highlighted Omexom’s role in ensuring technically robust execution and long-term safe operation of the storage systems.
Portugal’s renewable push has been driven largely by rapid growth in solar and wind capacity, both of which are inherently intermittent. Battery energy storage is increasingly seen as critical to managing variability, shifting surplus solar power to other hours, and providing ancillary services that stabilise voltage and frequency.
Experts say such capabilities will be essential for building a resilient power system aligned with Portugal’s long-term decarbonisation objectives, while also improving the country’s competitiveness by ensuring access to clean, stable and affordable electricity for households and energy-intensive industries alike.
