Storage and MACSE: what to check before developing a BESS
The second MACSE auction awards 16 GWh for 2029 delivery. But the contract is only part of the assessment: connection, site and permits decide…
Technologies
BESS, battery storage
Grid-scale batteries move renewable output towards the hours when it is needed.
Overview
It's not just how much energy is produced, but when
With the growth of solar and wind, the issue has shifted to the moment when energy is needed. MACSE, the mechanism run by Terna, is the tool the electricity system uses to contract storage over the long term.
But the contract is only part of the assessment: a BESS is judged first on connection, site and permits, then on price.
The questions
What to check before developing
Connection
Is the connection quote valid? What works does it require, on what schedule, and is there capacity at the node?
Site
Land availability, access, distances from homes and businesses, noise, fire prevention.
Permits
Which permit is needed, what constraints apply to the area, how it stays consistent with existing plants.
Configuration
Stand-alone or paired with a solar or wind plant: sharing the connection changes costs and rules.
Duration
Do the warranties cover the contract obligations? When do the cells need replacing, and at whose expense?
Alternatives
If the bid isn't awarded, does the project have other credible revenue sources?
MACSE
What the auctions say
Quotas and parameters must always be rechecked against the latest Terna and ARERA documents.
2025
First auction
10 GWh awarded, with bids over four times demand. Price at almost €13,000/MWh/year against a maximum of €37,000.
2026
Second auction
Set for 24 November: 16 GWh with delivery in 2029 and a maximum premium of €27,000/MWh/year.
Prudence
The financial plan
A price far below the cap points to strong competition: it is wise to build the plan on prudent assumptions.
How we step in
At every phase, or only where we're needed
Construction supervision and project management
Coordination of site, schedule, costs and suppliers.
Further reading
Find out more
Datacenters and energy: why 100 GW of requests are not 100 GW of projects
Connection requests to Terna have passed 100 GW, but estimates point to 1.5-2 GW of real demand by 2030. What sets a…
Free activity, PAS or single authorisation: how to read the Italian Renewables Consolidated Act
Legislative Decree 190/2024 reorganised permits into three regimes. How to tell which applies to a plant and what to check before filing…
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