Romania will produce batteries with Lockheed Martin technology in a 50-million-euro factory in Oradea

Lockheed Martin and the Romanian company Sinteza signed, on Wednesday, a letter of intent with a view to the construction of a GridStar Flow battery factory in Oradea, with zero carbon emissions and which allow obtaining sustainable and stable energy.

The agreement establishes the framework in which the parties will begin the development process of a future factory worth 50 million euros, which will produce 30,000 tons of negative electrolyte per year, starting from the summer of 2026. This will be the first European factory of this type and the largest in the world.

“Today’s action follows the recent success of Sinteza in obtaining co-financing funds worth 25 million euros under the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) for the electrolyte that is used in the case of large batteries GridStar Flow. The letter of intent was signed by Ray Piselli, Vice President for International Affairs at Lockheed Martin, and the general manager of Sinteza SA, Gelu Stan, in the presence of the Romanian Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, the US Ambassador to Romania, HE Kathleen Kavalec. Today’s event follows discussions held with the Romanian Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, at the beginning of this year in the United States, focused on how the GridStar Flow battery can help Romania achieve its net zero goals”, the release states.

“Through this project, Romania is attracting a strategic American investor, with cutting-edge technology, which does not depend in any way on imports of raw materials from outside Western markets, in a field that is growing exponentially globally. Once this investment is completed, our country will have a strategic advantage in the European Union in the development of new renewable energy projects”, stated the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja.

The vice-president for International Affairs at Lockheed Martin, Ray Piselli, mentioned that Romania can become a regional leader in this important field of energy efficiency and security.

“I am excited about the prospects of this new partnership in Romania – our first project in the commercial sector and one that helps achieve the country’s “Net Zero” emissions plans. GridStar Flow is a state-of-the-art solution for energy security, a key element of any nation’s defense and security needs. Through this new initiative, Romania can become a regional leader in this important field of energy efficiency and security”, said Piselli.

The CEO of Sinteza, Gelu Stan, pointed out that this project is a clear way to significantly upgrade both the technological level and the business model. “In addition, the entire investment is an ethical one, intended to positively influence the transition to green energy in Europe,” added Stan.

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company that promotes innovation and scientific breakthroughs.

Sinteza is a Romanian company with over 100 years of experience in the chemical industry, with the objective of transitioning the business from the production of benzoic acid to green energy.