Brussels, November 2024 — French energy giant Engie has announced that its 200 MW/800 MWh battery energy storage system in Vilvoorde, Belgium, is now fully operational, marking the official launch of one of Europe’s largest-scale battery storage projects.
Just weeks after commissioning the first 100 MW/400 MWh section, Engie has connected the second 100 MW/400 MWh section to the high-voltage grid. This marks the full commissioning of the entire 200 MW/800 MWh capacity, with the project completed barely 16 months after the groundbreaking ceremony and two months ahead of schedule.
A Major Breakthrough in European Energy Storage
Located at Engie’s Vilvoorde gas power plant site north of Brussels, the battery energy storage system deploys 320 of Sungrow’s PowerTitan liquid-cooled battery energy storage units. The system can absorb 200 megawatts of power at maximum load for four hours, then feed the stored energy back into the grid at other times of the day, equivalent to the average daily electricity consumption of approximately 96,000 Belgian households.
Vincent Verbeke, CEO of Engie Belgium, stated: “Flexible production and storage technologies are at the heart of Engie’s strategy, as they are essential for the transition to a carbon-neutral energy system based on renewable energy sources. With our battery projects, we are putting this strategy into practice, playing a key role in building the sustainable economy of tomorrow. By the fourth quarter of 2027, Engie will be operating 380 MW/1.5 GWh of battery storage capacity in Belgium, thereby delivering a significant contribution to the country’s security of supply and grid stability.”
Expansion Plans and Future Development
Given the site’s potential for further development, Engie is currently exploring the possibility of expanding the Vilvoorde project with a third section, which would bring total capacity to 300 MW/1,200 MWh. The company has submitted a permit application for this extension to the province of Flemish Brabant and requested additional capacity from grid operator Elia. Subject to obtaining permits and grid connection capacity, Engie will make a final decision on this possible expansion by early 2026.
Advancing Belgium’s Energy Storage Ecosystem
Beyond the Vilvoorde project, Engie’s other significant energy storage initiatives in Belgium are progressing steadily:
Kallo Project (100 MW/400 MWh): Currently under construction, this project is expected to become operational by spring 2027.
Drogenbos Project (80 MW/320 MWh): This project secured a 15-year capacity contract in the most recent Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) auction and is scheduled to begin operations in November 2027.
The successful implementation of these projects highlights Engie’s leadership in the energy transition and its capability to provide flexibility solutions for the grid. As renewable energy’s share in the energy mix continues to grow, large-scale battery energy storage systems will play an increasingly important role in balancing electricity supply and demand and supporting grid stability.
Technological Innovation Driving Energy Transition
The Sungrow PowerTitan liquid-cooled energy storage system deployed at the Vilvoorde project represents the cutting edge of current battery storage technology. The system employs advanced liquid-cooled temperature control technology, high-capacity battery cells, and integrated design, enhancing energy density while ensuring system safety and long-term operational reliability.
The project’s rapid construction and early completion resulted from close collaboration between Engie and its subsidiaries Tractebel and Laborelec, along with partners. This efficient project implementation model provides valuable experience for other large-scale energy storage projects across Europe.
Nicolas Van den Abeele, Managing Director of Renewables BE-NL at Engie, stated: “With the very efficient and swift completion of our first large-scale battery project in Belgium, our motivated teams have proven once again that Engie has the people, partners, and expertise to deliver on its energy transition commitments.”
