Antwerp, April 3, 2024 – On the occasion of Belgian Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten's visit to TotalEnergies' Antwerp refinery battery storage project, the Company announced the development in Belgium of a second similar project. The new project will be developed on the site of TotalEnergies’ depot in Feluy.
Once completed, the four-hour battery energy storage project will operate under a 15-year contract with Elia, Belgium’s electricity grid operator, and be located next to Engie’s gas power plant in Vilvoorde. From pv magazine ESS News site
With the installation of a 50 MW/200 MWh of battery energy storage, sustainably generated electricity can be used more efficiently to balance Belgium's electricity grid. The permit has been obtained, the battery ordered and preparatory study works are underway to have the project operational by the end of 2024.
Engie described this as “a double success within the CRM framework,” which ensures a future for its site in Belgium. The Vilvoorde BESS project will be launched in two phases, with the commissioning of 100 MW of batteries in September 2025, and a further 100 MW in January 2026.
With the installation of a 50MW (200 MWh) of battery energy storage, sustainably generated electricity can be used more efficiently to balance Belgium's electricity grid. The permit has been obtained, the battery ordered and preparatory study works are underway to have the project operational by the end of 2024.
Start-up is expected at the end of 2025. These two projects, which represent a global investment of nearly €70 million, will bring TotalEnergies' storage capacity in Belgium to 50 MW / 150 MWh. These battery storage sites play a key role in the resilience of the electricity system, providing flexibility and helping solve grid congestion problems.