Q&A - NHOA Energy: From Italy’s MACSE to Global BESS

With growing conversations around energy storage across Europe and the increasing demand for flexibility in power markets, the sector is evolving rapidly. Nowhere is this more evident than in Italy, where the upcoming MACSE tender is sparking investor interest. A market that once struggled to attract storage investment is now booming, as MACSE promises to enhance project bankability and accelerate deployment.

Momentum is building, but so too are the challenges. From pricing reforms and capacity market adjustments in the UK to grid connection bottlenecks across Europe, the energy storage landscape is at a turning point.

Amid these developments, inspiratia sits down with Paolo Rossetti, Business Development Manager at NHOA Energy, a key player in the sector with a strong presence in Italy, the UK, Spain, and beyond. As a system integrator in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), NHOA Energy goes beyond just selling equipment - they design and deliver complete storage solutions.

With that in mind, we dive deep into the evolving storage landscape, NHOA's role in shaping it, and what lies ahead for the industry.

Can you share how NHOA Energy's role in renewable energy has evolved? 

NHOA Energy began as a joint venture between two university spin-offs from the Polytechnic Universities of Milan and Turin, both renowned for engineering. For its first decade, the company focused on energy storage for microgrids, particularly in remote areas, to reduce reliance on costly diesel generators.

In 2015, it was listed on Euronext Paris as EPS (Electro Power Systems). Three years later, ENGIE acquired a majority stake, expanding its global presence in solar and storage auctions. In 2021, TCC Group Holdings acquired the majority from ENGIE, restructuring it under NHOA Group and transitioning NHOA into a private company in 2024.

This restructuring led to the formation of three divisions:

• NHOA Energy – Focused on battery energy storage systems (BESS)
• Atlante – Developing EV fast-charging network in Southern Europe, including Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France
• Free2move eSolutions – A joint venture with Stellantis for commercial charging solutions

What is NHOA Energy's role in BESS?

NHOA Energy delivers world-class energy storage systems globally. We play the role of a system integrator in BESS, which means we do not just sell equipment - we design and deliver complete energy storage systems that work seamlessly to meet performance guarantees like capacity and efficiency. Thanks to our global service platform, NHOA Energy ensures industry-leading availability over the long term. Our EPC service delivery is adaptable, ensuring it aligns with each client's unique project requirements. If they want a full EPC approach, we partner with local Balance of Plant (BOP) providers for construction and installation. But at our core, we are a technology company.

Our real strength is in the smart side of BESS - developing advanced control systems in-house, designing both the hardware and software, and integrating proprietary or, in some cases, third-party inverters. We do not manufacture batteries ourselves, but we carefully select and integrate top-tier suppliers, ensuring everything meets strict industry standards. We have developed a strict integration process, from manufacturing checks to performance testing and system modelling, to make sure everything runs smoothly and reliably.

For us, the key to a great BESS is not just the batteries - it is the intelligence behind it. That is why we put so much focus on control systems, inverters, and medium-voltage equipment.

Which countries are currently your main markets, and where do you see the most opportunities?

We have deployed over 2.5GWh of capacity in five continents to some of the world-leading energy companies. Currently, our main markets are Italy, Australia, Taiwan, the UK, the US and Spain. Italy, where we have delivered projects both under the Fast Reserve Unit and Capacity Market schemes, is particularly booming due to the upcoming MACSE tender, and we expect significant activity in the coming months. In Australia, we have already delivered two EPC projects and are expanding further. We delivered more than 500MWh in Asia with a big market share in Taiwan. The UK remains a priority as a mature market. In Europe, we are also focused on Spain, which foresees several new opportunities, and we have recently signed a contract for a project in Belgium. We are exploring Germany and Ireland, and our US office is keeping an eye on the US and potential Latin American markets.

What factors do you consider when entering a new market, given common challenges like grid connection and permitting delays?

When entering a new market, we consider several factors. First, we ensure we can provide strong support during project execution, particularly through local teams for service and maintenance. We also assess the market's long-term viability and need for storage rather than following temporary trends. Additionally, we analyse the competitive landscape, regulatory requirements, and whether the market is open to international players or dominated by local companies. All these factors guide our expansion decisions.

Is NHOA Energy planning to expand beyond its current locations?

We are planning to expand into Germany and Ireland, while keeping an eye on other European markets, though there is no specific target beyond those for now. In Asia, we are focusing our expansion efforts in Japan for battery energy storage systems.

With the MACSE auction driving demand for BESS in Italy, do you think grid connection delays and approval challenges could limit its impact?

Terna, the Italian Transmission System Operator, has designed the MACSE auction to minimise disruptions from unapproved projects and liquidity, ensuring that the awarded volume will not be more than 80% of the eligible participants. While competition may be lower in the first auction this September, we expect it to increase in later rounds. Many developers are progressing the permitting for larger pipelines - measured in gigawatts - for future tenders.

As for permitting and grid connection issues, Italy is not the slowest market and, despite the complexity of the processes, administrations are strongly focusing on processing their tasks to allow battery integration in the grid. Unlike the UK, where older "zombie projects" linger in the queue, Italy's market is younger and more dynamic, with mostly active, viable projects moving forward.

We do not see MACSE tenders being heavily affected by permitting or grid delays, but new fire safety regulations, such as spacing requirements and water collection for fire suppression - could slow things down slightly. Even so, we do not anticipate a shortage of projects ready to participate.

How does NHOA Energy differentiate itself in a battery market dominated by China?

While China dominates global battery manufacturing, the landscape is very different when it comes to power electronics and cyber-secured control systems. These "smart" components are where deep technical expertise and R&D drive real value and where global competition still thrives, with notable leaders in Europe. That is why, at NHOA Energy, we have chosen to focus our innovation and proprietary development on these critical control elements embedded in our NHEXUS platform, which enables fast deployment, high system performance, and cybersecurity by design.

We partner exclusively with "Tier 1" battery manufacturers to support our clients in selecting the optimal technology. This allows us to stay competitive while delivering long-term value. Since BESS assets operate for 15-25 years, having experienced professionals on-site ensures minimal downtime and optimal performance. For the MACSE tender, we are proactively building an ecosystem of partners - engineers, builders, and installers - to ensure smooth project execution in Italy. With 10 GWh of storage set to be deployed in just a few years, we need to be ready from day one. By securing these partnerships early, we can immediately start deployment after an award, avoiding costly delays.