Is ENGIE building a battery energy storage system in Belgium?

A render of the project in Vilvoorde. Image: Engie. Multinational utility and IPP Engie has launched construction on a 200MW/800MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Belgium. The France-headquartered firm announced the start of construction in the 4-hour duration project in Vilvoorde, Belgium, on 5 July.

What are Belgium's biggest battery storage systems?

Currently, Belgium’s two biggest battery storage systems are a 50MW/100MWh system in Wallonia from French developer Corsica Sole, and a 25MW/100MWh system in Ruien by a Nippon Koei-Aquila Clean Energy joint venture.

Does Engie have a Bess project in Belgium?

Engie is also developing two other BESS projects in Belgium which already have permits in place, a 100-MW/400-MWh project in Kallo and a 80-MW/320-MWh battery in Drogenbos. The company targets 10 GW of battery capacity globally by 2030. At the end of 2023, it had 1.3 GW of battery capacity in operation and 3.6 GW secured under development.

Is Belgium a good market for battery storage assets?

Belgium is becoming a market that represents good opportunities for battery storage assets, due to its congested grid with a rising share of renewable energy.

When will the Bess project start in Belgium?

It will be connected to Belgian high-voltage transmission system operator Elia’s 150,000-volt network Spanning about one hectare, work on the BESS project started in October. The site is expected to become operational by the summer of 2026.