Standalone BESS with a 400 kV direct connection to ČEPS — a constellation that is rare in Central Europe
We have secured the exclusivity to acquire 50 MW of battery storage capacity in the Czech energy park Tušimice. In addition, we have a purchase option for an additional 50 MW. The project also has a contractually fixed 400 kV direct connection to the Czech transmission network ČEPS. Such a grid connection is an exception for standalone battery storage in Central Europe in this voltage class. Furthermore, all building permits have been granted. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, with commissioning expected in early 2027. Legal support is provided by Hogan Lovells.
Tušimice — one of the largest battery storage parks in Central Europe
In Tušimice in northwestern Bohemia, not far from the former lignite region around Kadaň, one of the largest battery storage parks in Central Europe is being built. The holding company Czech Energy Parks a.s. is developing a total capacity of 400 MW there. The lead role is held by the Czech project developer ADI (Active Development Investments a.s.). Within this park, we have secured a total of 100 MW. Of this, 50 MW are exclusively fully approved and ready for construction. Additionally, we hold an option to purchase a second unit of the same type in the same park.
Why this location is the right choice for us
What distinguishes the location from comparable developments is not solely the permitting status. 200 MW of the park were already sold to a leading European aggregator prior to our entry—and are operated by them today. Based on a service agreement, this aggregator will also aggregate and market our units: Primary Control Reserve (FCR) and Secondary Control Reserve (aFRR±) via the Czech control reserve market of ČEPS. Anyone who has invested their own capital in the same park and uses the same infrastructure has a different relationship to performance than an externally contracted plant operator. This constellation was a key decision-making criterion for us. The fact that this collaboration is not unproven is underlined by another circumstance: the same aggregator is already responsible for other projects of ours in the Czech Republic.
The technical backbone: 400/110 kV substation
The technical backbone of the park is the 400/110 kV substation, which is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in Q3 2026 under a contract with ČEPS. For a standalone BESS project, the direct 400 kV connection to the transmission grid is an exception in Central Europe—and a tangible advantage for marketing balancing energy on the most liquid markets compared to projects connected via the distribution grid level.
Regulatory advantage: Battery storage is not a final consumer in the Czech Republic
In addition, there is a regulatory advantage that is often underestimated in a comparison of European markets. In the Czech Republic, battery storage is not legally classified as a final consumer. Charging electricity is therefore exempt from grid fees without any time limit or special permit—a degree of planning certainty that does not exist in this form in Germany. The German exemption under Section 118 of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) expires in 2029 and is currently being actively reviewed by the Federal Network Agency in the AgNes process. Additionally, the European Union has approved 279 million euros from the EU Modernisation Fund for the Czech Republic's energy transformation.
“We didn't choose the Czech Republic because it was the easier path—but because the combination of a secured grid connection, a proven aggregator in the same park, and a stable regulatory framework without an expiration date cannot be replicated in Germany today. The fact that our aggregator is operating 200 MW with its own capital in the same park is not a detail—it is the foundation upon which this business plan stands.”
Jochen Schäfer, Chief Investment Officer, Cube Concepts
Schedule and next steps
Construction is set to begin in the summer of 2026. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in early 2027. Hogan Lovells is providing legal support, which includes securing exclusivity, drafting an option agreement, and preparing a legal opinion on Czech BESS practices.
Project East Star — our step from service provider to energy producer
We were founded in 2020 and operate as a manufacturer-independent energy service provider: planning, installing, and operating photovoltaic and battery storage solutions for commercial and industrial customers throughout Europe, either through purchase or via a Contracting model that requires no upfront investment from the customer. Project East Star is the first transaction in which we, as an equity-leading investor, are acquiring and permanently operating our own generation capacity—a step that demonstrates our evolution from service provision toward independent energy production.
Qualified investors and financing partners can request complete project documentation after signing a non-disclosure agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tušimice located?
Tušimice is located in northwestern Bohemia, in the Czech Republic, not far from the former lignite mining region around Kadaň, about 90 kilometers northwest of Prague. The energy park is an established hub of the Czech electricity grid and is currently transforming into a multi-energy site featuring battery storage, photovoltaics, and, in the future, additional energy infrastructure components.
What does „Ready to Build” mean?
„Ready to Build” refers to the project status in which all prerequisites for the start of construction are met: permits are in place, grid connection agreements are signed, the land is secured, and the equipment can be ordered immediately. For our Tušimice project, all building permits have been granted, and the 400 kV direct connection to ČEPS is contractually secured.
What is a 400 kV direct connection?
The 400 kV direct connection is the integration of a facility into the extra-high-voltage transmission grid—operated in the Czech Republic by ČEPS. For standalone battery energy storage systems in Central Europe, a connection at this voltage level is rare, as new high-voltage connections of this scale require a lead time of seven to ten years in the Czech Republic. For the marketing of balancing power on the most liquid markets, this connection is a tangible advantage compared to projects at the distribution grid level.
What are FCR and aFRR?
FCR (Frequency Containment Reserve, primary control power) and aFRR (automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve, secondary control power) are control reserve products that transmission system operators use to maintain a stable grid frequency. Battery storage systems respond to frequency deviations within milliseconds and are among the best providers of these services from a technical standpoint. The Tušimice units are marketed in both products via the Czech frequency control market operated by ČEPS.
When does construction begin?
Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026. The first 50 MW are scheduled to come online in early 2027. The second unit (an additional 50 MW under a purchase option) will follow within the same timeframe.
What distinguishes the Czech from the German BESS market?
In the Czech Republic, battery storage is not legally considered a final consumer. Charging electricity is exempt from grid fees indefinitely and without the need for an exemption permit. The comparable German regulation pursuant to Section 118 of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) expires in 2029 and is under active revision by the Federal Network Agency. In addition, the European Union has approved 279 million euros from the Modernisation Fund for the Czech Republic for the energy transition.
How can you contact us?
For investor and financing inquiries, please contact Jochen Schäfer, Chief Investment Officer, at Jochen Schäfer. Qualified investors and financial partners can request complete project documents after signing a confidentiality agreement.