Aukera, the pan-European battery storage and renewable energy platform, has reached financial close on a USD 55.41 million financing package from the International Finance Corporation for the second phase of its Gura Ialomitei Battery Energy Storage System in Romania, the company announced on 21 July 2026.

Deal Structure and Scale

The financing, provided by IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, comprises USD 45.70 million of capital expenditure financing and an additional USD 9.71 million tranche related to VAT.

The funds will support construction of the remaining 100 MW / 200 MWh of capacity at the Gura Ialomitei site, completing what Aukera describes as its flagship 250 MW / 500 MWh project.

Once fully operational, the facility is expected to become Romania's largest operational battery storage project and one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe. Phase two is expected to reach commercial operation by early 2027.

Aukera is backed by AtlasInvest, Reggeborgh and SFPIM, Belgium's sovereign wealth fund.

Building on Phase One Delivery

The IFC financing follows the successful completion and financing of Phase One of the Gura Ialomitei project, which comprised 150 MW / 300 MWh of capacity. That earlier phase secured a USD 68.55 million debt facility from Kommunalkredit Austria AG in November 2025 and reached commercial operation in June 2026.

With the second phase now financed, Aukera has closed two separate project financings across the full development, involving two international financial institutions and bringing the total debt financing across both phases to over USD 114.25 million.

The combined transaction represents a significant milestone for the platform, which was established to originate, finance, construct and operate large-scale battery storage infrastructure across Europe.

Romania's Energy Storage Market

The Gura Ialomitei project sits within a broader context of expanding renewable energy generation in Romania, where large-scale battery storage is increasingly viewed as critical infrastructure.

Battery storage systems provide the flexibility required to balance electricity supply and demand, support grid stability and improve the utilisation of existing transmission networks.

Aukera stated that the completed project will support a more resilient electricity system and enable greater integration of renewable energy across the Romanian grid.

Marcelo Castellanos, World Bank Group Country Manager for Romania, described the financing as helping to pioneer a new chapter in Romania's energy transition.

"By helping pioneer financing for this emerging sector, IFC is paving the way for greater private investment in the country's clean and competitive energy future," Castellanos said. "A more secure and reliable energy system also provides the foundation for a more competitive economy that can support sustainable job creation."

Significance for Aukera's Platform

Catalin Breaban, Co-Founder of Aukera, said the closing of the second phase sends a clear signal about the quality of the project and the opportunity in Romania's energy storage market. Breaban noted that Aukera is now active across five European countries and described Gura Ialomitei as the first project in what will be a substantial Romanian portfolio.

Aiden Yates, Managing Director and Head of Structured Finance at Aukera, pointed to the dual project financing structure as a demonstration of the platform's structured finance capability. "Bringing in a partner of IFC's calibre is an important milestone for the platform," Yates said. "Their participation strengthens our capital relationships and underlines the bankability of well-structured battery storage projects backed by disciplined development and experienced delivery."

Advisory Roles

A range of international advisers supported the transaction. Clifford Chance Badea served as borrower legal counsel, while Dentons acted as lender legal counsel.

RINA Consulting provided technical advice to the lender, PwC handled model audit and tax matters, Aurora Energy Research served as market adviser, and Marsh acted as lender insurance adviser.

Powering Smarter Decisions Across Romania's Energy Landscape

Romania's power sector is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades, with grid expansions, renewable energy mandates, and cross-border infrastructure investments reshaping the competitive landscape at speed. If your team is still piecing together project intelligence from fragmented sources, the opportunities moving through this market right now may already be passing you by.

The Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research brings the full spectrum of Romania's power project pipeline into a single, structured environment. From offshore wind developments to high-voltage transmission upgrades across Romania, every critical data point is tracked, verified, and delivered to your team in real time.

Whether you are a developer, equipment supplier, contractor, or financial advisor operating in Romania's power market, timely and accurate project intelligence is the difference between leading a bid and learning about it after the fact.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

See exactly how the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research can sharpen your market strategy across Romania's evolving power sector. Book a Free Demo with our team today.