On July 5th, ENGIE commenced construction of one of Europe’s largest Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at its Vilvoorde site in Belgium.
This achievement follows the project’s construction permit acquisition in July 2023 and its selection for capacity remuneration in October 2023.
Massive Storage Capacity and Grid Support
With a 200 MW installed capacity on a 3.5-hectare site, BESS Vilvoorde will store 800 MWh of energy in 320 battery modules, each measuring 25 m x 4 m x 3 m.
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This stored energy can be discharged to the grid over four hours, equivalent to the electricity consumption of 96,000 households. Notably, the battery park has secured a 15-year contract with Elia, the national grid operator.
Phased Launch and Additional Projects
The launch of BESS Vilvoorde will occur in two phases, with 100 MW of batteries commissioned in September 2025 and an additional 100 MW in January 2026.
ENGIE is also progressing with two other BESS projects in Belgium, having obtained permits for Kallo (100 MW / 400 MWh) and Drogenbos (80 MW / 320 MWh).
Flexibility Solutions for Renewable Integration
The BESS Vilvoorde project aligns with ENGIE’s commitment to developing large-scale flexibility solutions, crucial for integrating renewable energy production.
This project will contribute to ENGIE’s target of reaching 10 GW of installed battery capacity globally by 2030.
Executive Perspective on Energy Transition
Sébastien Arbola, Executive Vice President of Flex Gen & Retail activities, emphasized the importance of BESS in ensuring the reliability and security of energy systems.
He highlighted that batteries play a vital role in absorbing peaks in renewable energy production and releasing this energy during periods of lower production and higher consumption. These flexibility solutions will significantly accelerate the development of renewable energies and drive the energy transition.
ENGIE’s Expanding Battery Capacity
As of December 31, 2023, ENGIE boasts 1.3 GW of operational battery capacity and an additional 3.6 GW secured in various stages of development.