The Czech investment fund Watt & Build, part of the Axelor group, is entering a new segment in the renewable energy sector. In addition to developing photovoltaic and wind power plants in Spain, the Czech Republic, and other European countries, it is also including the construction of large battery storage facilities in its portfolio.
Watt & Build is already completing one such facility with a capacity of 2.5 MW in Mydlovary in South Bohemia, and has now announced the construction of another five times larger project near Olomouc for CZK 200 million (€8.2 million).
In addition to balancing the network, battery storage can also earn from the different prices of electricity during the day. When electricity is cheap or even at negative prices on the market due to an excess of production from renewable sources, it stores it in batteries to then supply it to the grid again at a significantly higher price at peak times.
The construction of the new battery storage facility at Hané will begin this autumn and should be put into operation in the first quarter of 2026. "At the moment, we are procuring suppliers of batteries and other components, and at the same time, we are finalising the acquisition of all permits. After the construction itself, the equipment will start operating immediately," adds Adam Šmákal, Group Energy Director at Axelor.
The Watt & Build fund exceeded its target return of 10% last year, when it brought qualified investors a 13% appreciation. At the same time, it is increasing the volume of assets under its management, while at the end of this year, its volume will exceed CZK 700 million (€28.7 million).
