ENGIE Begins Construction of Major Battery Park in Belgium

On July 5, ENGIE commenced the construction of one of Europe's largest Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at its site in Vilvoorde, Belgium. This initiative follows the project receiving a construction permit in July 2023 and its selection for capacity remuneration in October 2023.

The BESS Vilvoorde will feature an installed capacity of 200 MW on a 3.5-hectare site, capable of storing 800 MWh of energy using 320 battery modules. The installation will provide energy to 96,000 households, equivalent to 160,000 5 kWh domestic batteries, releasing power for up to four hours. A 15-year contract has been secured with Elia, Belgium's national grid operator.

The project will be executed in two phases, launching 100 MW of capacity in September 2025 and another 100 MW in January 2026. ENGIE is also advancing two other BESS projects in Belgium, in Kallo and Drogenbos, with permits already obtained for these 100 MW and 80 MW systems, respectively.

This milestone aligns with ENGIE's commitment to scaling up flexibility solutions to support renewable energy integration. The project will contribute to ENGIE's goal of achieving 10 GW of installed battery capacity globally by 2030.

Sébastien Arbola, Executive Vice President for Flex Gen & Retail activities, emphasized the significance of BESS in balancing renewable energy supply and demand, thus promoting the energy transition.