Manufacturing
IPS opens Bulgaria’s first battery storage gigafactory
The manufacturing facility has launched with 3 GWh annual capacity, set to expand to 5 GWh by Q2 2026.
By
Marija Maisch
Oct 13, 2025
Industry
Manufacturing
Image: IPS
International Power Supply (IPS) has officially opened its new battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturing facility near Sofia, Bulgaria – a site recognized by the European Commission as a Strategic Project under the Net-Zero Industry Act. The facility features a vertically integrated supply chain with nearly all critical components – except for the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells – designed and manufactured in-house.
From battery modules and packs to distributed liquid cooling systems, mechanical structures, enclosures, electronics, battery management systems (BMS), control units, and inverters – the X1 gigafactory offers a uniquely integrated battery manufacturing ecosystem in Europe. The facility has an annual production capacity of 3 GWh.
“This milestone marks a new chapter for IPS. With EXERON X-BESS now in serial production in Bulgaria, we’re proudly showing that world-class energy storage can be designed and built in Europe,” said IPS CEO Alexander Rangelov.
The EXERON X-BESS platform is designed for utility-scale and C&I applications, offering modular architecture for flexible deployment and easy maintenance. Its AC-block design integrates battery packs, power conversion systems, and auxiliary systems into a single enclosure – reducing footprint and balance-of-plant (BoP) costs.
IPS argues that with its fully integrated production model, it can also ensure tighter control over cybersecurity, data management, and system-level integration — increasingly important factors for grid-connected assets.
“We believe our BESS design — focused on modularity, redundancy, and fail-safe engineering — is highly competitive in terms of total cost of ownership,” said Rangelov. “And our manufacturing model is scalable across Europe, ensuring customers benefit from localized service, spare parts availability, and greater supply chain reliability.”
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on October 10, with Rangelov joined by Tomislav Donchev, Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister, Vassil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia, and Rosen Plevneliev, former President of Bulgaria. Senior EU energy and climate officials delivered messages via video address.
“This factory exemplifies our shared ambition under the Net-Zero Industry Act — to strengthen European clean energy manufacturing and energy security,” said Juul Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy (DG ENER). “It also sets a benchmark for our target of producing 40% of net-zero technology demand within the EU by 2030.”
Construction of the X2 factory expansion at the Hemus High Tech Industrial Park began in June 2025 and is expected to boost IPS’ annual BESS production capacity to 5 GWh by Q2 2026.
IPS is also part of a consortium seeking EU Innovation Fund support for a fully automated 10 GWh facility – likely to be located in one of Bulgaria’s former coal regions. The total investment for that project is estimated at €160 million, with up to €90 million in EU co-funding under consideration.
Parallel to its Bulgarian expansion, IPS has entered a technology licensing agreement with a Polish industrial partner to establish a 10 GWh BESS factory in Poland by 2027
ess-news.com |
