16.04.2026
The Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) market in Ukraine is rapidly transitioning from the pilot launch stage to the scaling phase. To help community members avoid common pitfalls and optimize their own projects, Energy Club hosted an exclusive BESS Insider meeting. The keynote speaker was Andriy Kobolyev, founder of Eney, who shared his unique experience in implementing a 50 MW facility. The discussion was moderated by Artem Martyniuk, Vice President of Energy Club.
Andriy Kobolyev noted that the project idea emerged back in 2021 as a response to European partners’ requirements for frequency balancing to integrate Ukraine into the European power grid. According to him, BESS should not be viewed as a “get-rich-quick” tool.
“If you want to make a lot of money, you’d better stay away from energy storage. It is a steady business that thrives on high volatility. Energy storage is an ideal asset for a value preservation strategy, or a so-called ‘pension asset.’ When volatility is high, the system starts working like a money-printing machine; during periods of calm, it shifts into a modest standby mode,” noted Andriy Kobolyev.
One of the most debated topics was the choice of manufacturer. Eney consciously rejected Chinese solutions in favor of American equipment. The key factors were:
The project was implemented through a direct connection to the NPC Ukrenergo networks. Despite the complexity and duration of this process compared to connecting to distribution system operators’ networks, this decision is considered strategically superior.
The speaker paid special attention to land issues. The project was among the first to utilize the simplified construction pathway on agricultural land in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1320. Andriy Kobolyev advised investors not to fear this route, as it significantly accelerates the start of work, although it requires thorough legal support during the commissioning phase.
Currently, the facility successfully operates in two markets simultaneously: the ancillary services market and the arbitrage market. A crucial element of success was operating within an aggregation group, which allows for balanced scheduling and the pursuit of additional revenue streams.
“New projects will no longer have such an advantage from contracts with Ukrenergo, as the need for ancillary services is gradually being met. Future investors should focus on pure arbitrage. Furthermore, the battery depth should be at least five hours,” the expert emphasized.
Energy Club Vice President Artem Martyniuk concluded that Eney’s experience is exceptionally valuable for the Ukrainian market, as it demonstrates real-world cases of overcoming technical and bureaucratic barriers. Energy Club will continue to serve as a platform for sharing such expertise among industry practitioners.
