• This transaction represents one of the first and largest standalone battery energy storage project financings in Poland and DRI’s first BESS project structured under a Project Finance framework.
  • The Trzebinia BESS project will have a capacity of 133MW and will support grid stability and the integration of renewable energy sources.

8 June 2026, Amsterdam – DRI, the EU renewables arm of DTEK, together with Erste Bank Polska, acting in coordination and agency roles, PKO Bank Polski and UniCredit, have signed an agreement for the provision of approximately PLN 470 million in non-recourse, KUKE-backed project financing to support the construction of the Trzebinia battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Poland.

The financing includes a long-term term facility backed by the Polish export credit agency guarantee provided by KUKE S.A. on behalf of the Polish State Treasury under the ITE (energy transformation investment) programme. The structure reflects strong alignment with sustainable finance frameworks and supports the development of critical energy transition infrastructure in Poland.

Murat Cinar, CEO of DRI, said:

“This transaction is a strong endorsement of DRI’s ability to structure complex, bankable projects and to attract leading international and domestic financial institutions, as well as public guarantee schemes. It reinforces our position as a key player in the development of renewable energy and energy storage infrastructure in Poland and across Central and Eastern Europe, while contributing to the resilience and security of the European energy system.”

Daniel Posyniak, Head of Corporate & Investment Banking at Erste Bank Polska said:

“We are extremely proud to support DRI in development of battery storage systems in Poland. Thanks to our long-lasting experience on renewables market, we were able to provide tailored-made solutions for the Client and we are privileged with the DRI's trust to play crucial roles in the financing, including: KUKE Coordinator, Facility Agent and Account Bank. This transaction is also an important milestone for the whole Erste Group in execution of Erste Responsible Financing Policy.”

Janusz Władyczak, CEO of KUKE said:

“Poland's potential for generating electricity from renewable sources is growing rapidly, reducing our dependence on imported energy resources and fossil fuels. However, expanding electricity storage capacity is crucial for system security and stability. At KUKE, we support broad scope of investments in renewable energy sources and low-emission sources, such as gas-fired power plants, to diversify energy sources and reduce costs for consumers and businesses. We are ready to participate on a larger scale in financing such significant and necessary investments as the Trzebinia BESS project.”

Marcin Michalski, Head of Investment Project Finance Department at PKO Bank Polski said:

“Financing of the project confirms the growing role of energy storage in Poland’s energy transition. This is one of the pioneering project finance transactions for the BESS sector in the Polish market and an important signal that modern energy infrastructure is gaining strong support from financial institutions. Energy storage systems will play a key role in building a stable and modern energy system. PKO Bank Polski, as the leader of the banking sector in Poland, actively engages in supporting such projects.”

Aleksander Pininski, Head of Investment Banking Poland at UniCredit said:

“BESS projects are essential to the resilience of Poland’s energy ecosystem. At UniCredit, we are committed to supporting our clients in securing capital for these strategic investments. We were pleased to collaborate with the DRI team and facilitate KUKE’s support for this important project.”

The project will be built in the Trzebinia district and will have a total installed capacity of 133MW, making it one of the largest battery energy storage facilities in the country. Once operational, the plant will provide essential balancing services to the Polish power system, enhancing flexibility, strengthening grid stability and enabling greater integration of renewable energy sources.

Construction of the Trzebinia BESS project began a few weeks ago and is progressing as planned. The facility is expected to become operational in early 2027.

The project will participate in Poland’s Capacity Market from 2027, providing fast-response energy reserves that can be dispatched within milliseconds to support grid stability during peak demand or system stress, while contributing to greater energy security and more efficient system costs.

The Trzebinia BESS project represents a significant milestone for the Polish energy sector as one of the first utility-scale energy storage projects to be financed under a Project Finance structure in the country. It also highlights the growing role of battery storage in supporting Poland’s decarbonisation pathway and strengthening energy security.

DRI continues to expand its presence across Europe. In Poland, the company is currently focused on the development of battery energy storage (BESS) projects. In Romania, DRI has already built a strong operational footprint with four renewable energy assets — three solar parks and one onshore wind farm — totaling 299MW of installed capacity. This is complemented by a growing pipeline of wind and solar projects under development in Croatia and Italy, further supporting the company’s long-term growth and contribution to the energy transition across the region.