I4B – The Belgian Infrastructure Fund has invested EUR 30 million (USD 34. 6m) in a 600-MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Belgium, one of the country's largest to date.
With this new project, ENGIE reaches 500 MW of BESS capacity in Europe, either installed, under construction or at an advanced stage of development. On 31 October 2024, Belgian grid operator Elia announced the result of the country's 4th CRM auction and the selection of ENGIE's Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Kallo.
Is Belgium a good place to invest in battery storage?
Belgium is one of the most active and mature grid-scale energy storage markets in Europe, with diversified opportunities for monetising battery storage via flexibility markets and a supportive regulatory regime.
What is the D-Stor battery storage project in Belgium?
A digital illustration of the D-STOR battery storage project in Belgium. Image: BSTOR. Project owners BSTOR and Energy Solutions Group have started building separate BESS projects totalling 440MWh of capacity in Belgium, following financial close, both of which will use Tesla Megapacks.
How did the energy crisis affect Belgian nuclear power?
“In 2022, the energy crisis led to a partial reversal of the Belgian nuclear phase-out. The lifetimes of the nuclear reactors of Doel 4 and Tihange 3, with a total capacity of 2.1 GW, were extended until 2035. This reduced the need for additional capacity in the Belgian power system.
Who is delivering a battery energy storage system?
It will be delivered by Italian developer NHOA Energy. French state-backed utility Engie has broken ground on the second of the battery energy storage systems (BESS) awarded it by Belgian grid operator Elia under a national plan to procure more grid electricity.
Why is Belgium's storage fleet growing so fast?
Belgium's storage fleet is growing at a fast pace, not the least due to the opportunity to secure contracted revenues via its CRM auctions. On the last day of October, system operator Elia published the results of the CRM auctions held this year, showing that a total of 450 MW of BESS had secured contracts.