The energy transition has accelerated irreversibly, but with the pace of renewables comes the limits of the current grid. In this equation, energy storage becomes the indispensable solution. Bogdan Cumpănașu, Country Sales Manager Romania of Sermatec, brought to the debate at the 11th Energy Strategy Summit, the flagship event of Energynomics, a pragmatic and optimistic vision of the potential of batteries to redefine the energy balance.
“If green energy is, shall we say, a natural diamond, storage may be exactly the way to polish it,” he said in his opening remarks. Sermatec, a company headquartered in Shanghai with more than 10 GWh of installed capacity globally, offers storage solutions for both utility-scale and commercial and industrial (C&I) applications. From 2026, the company will also have a production facility in Europe, in Spain.
Bogdan Cumpănașu also gave an overview of the dynamics of storage in Romania: “If in 2023 we had around 20 MWh, by the end of 2025 we are expected to have 0.5 GW, and Transelectrica’s target is over 10 GW by 2030.” This trajectory demonstrates not only demand growth, but also a clear recognition that storage is the foundation for the accelerated decarbonisation of the industry.
Against the backdrop of rapid electrification and pressure on the grid, Sermatec is banking on complete turnkey solutions: batteries, inverter, management system (BMS), intelligent platform (EMS) and AI integration. “At the moment, to make money you need to have the best algorithms, and artificial intelligence is making its entrance directly into the battery area, because, after all, we want the highest return,” Cumpănașu pointed out.
But behind the technology lies the need for profitability: “Romania has huge potential. We have an IRR [internal rate of rentability] of more than 20% and a [ROI] return of investment in three to four years. From arbitrage services to network services, batteries are becoming increasingly important. Including loss reduction [at the renewable generator level] is very important through batteries.”
DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION OF BOGDAN’S CUMPĂNAȘU
Sermatec already has solid deployments in extreme conditions, such as the 100 MW/400 MWh project in Inner Mongolia and a 1 GWh project under construction. In Europe, the company has already entered the markets in Bulgaria and Poland, where it recently signed a contract for a 200 MWh system. Romania is not an exception, but a strategic destination: “We are directly interested not only to come with our energy storage solutions, but also to invest in Romania, to invest in Ready to Build projects.”
Through this commitment, Sermatec offers more than technology: it provides a bridge between economic opportunity and system need. In a context where every flexible kilowatt counts, batteries take on a dual identity – critical infrastructure and financial asset.
2025 Energy Strategy Summit was organised by Energynomics, with the support of our partners: AJ Brand, Elektra Renewable Support, ABB, Adrem Asset Management, Alive Capital, BCR, DEKRA, Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania, E-Infra, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, EnergoBit, Enery, Enevo Group, Enexus, European Investment Bank, Evryo, Exim Banca Romaneasca, Delgaz Grid, Genesis Biopartner, Huawei, ING Bank, Jantzen Renewables, Keno Energy, Leader Team, LONGi, Nano Energies, Prime Batteries Technology, Procesio, Procredit Bank, Relians, Renomia, Romgaz, Schneider Electric, script.ai, Sermatec, smartPulse, Solar Today, SolaX, Think Blu Solution, Voltika, Wiren, YEO, AIployees, Aqua Carpatica, Alexandrion, Carbon Tool, Imsol.