DTEK and Fluence Energy have entered the commissioning phase for Ukraine’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) – 200MW of capacity spanning six sites across the country.
This project now ranks among the biggest in Eastern Europe.
The portfolio includes 698 Fluence Gridstack cubes with a total energy capacity of 400MWh, enough to power 600,000 Ukrainian homes for two hours. Individual site capacities range from 20MW to 50MW, all grid-connected and preparing for commercial operations in October 2025 under a contract with Ukrenergo.
Unveiled at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, the project is the first major energy initiative following the US-Ukraine Economic Partnership Agreement signed in April. It will support frequency regulation, grid balancing, and reserve power – critical functions as Ukraine navigates wartime grid disruption and seeks to reduce rolling blackouts.
Due to restricted access, Fluence is commissioning the system entirely remotely. Twenty Ukrainian engineers have completed hands-on training at Fluence facilities in Germany and Finland, enabling them to safely operate the systems and respond to any emergencies independently.
Fluence will continue to support the BESS rollout through remote diagnostics, performance monitoring, and testing – ensuring deployment remains safe and efficient despite wartime conditions.
Maxim Timchenko, DTEK CEO, said, “With our partner Fluence we are fast-tracking innovation, building homegrown technical expertise and showing that even in wartime, progress is achievable. This battery storage facility is proof of our determination to build back stronger. Together, we’re taking an important step towards a more secure and resilient energy system of Ukraine.”
Image: The BESS will be the largest in Ukraine.
