As Belgium prepares for the 2025 nuclear phase-out, grid reliability is emerging as a central challenge. The latest response comes from Kallo, Beveren, where ENGIE and NHOA Energy have started construction on a 400 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS)—a project positioned as both a symbol of transition and a technical asset in Belgium’s evolving energy infrastructure.
The system, which will be housed on the site of the decommissioned Kallo fossil fuel plant, is designed to deliver four hours of power—equating to the electricity needs of over 48,000 households. With its commissioning tied to Belgium’s Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM), the project is not merely a demonstration of technology, but a targeted response to structural capacity concerns arising from the nuclear drawdown.
The CRM, administered by transmission system operator Elia, was introduced to stimulate investment in firm capacity ahead of expected power shortages. ENGIE’s selection in the fourth auction round highlights the growing role of large-scale batteries in capacity planning—a departure from prior assumptions that peaking plants alone could bridge the generation gap. Unlike thermal assets, battery systems can be rapidly dispatched and optimized for frequency regulation, congestion relief, and arbitrage—functions that are gaining value in a system increasingly dominated by variable renewables.
By leveraging nearly two decades of energy storage experience, NHOA Energy brings field-tested power electronics and control systems to the table. The company’s scope includes not only the delivery of the BESS but also its long-term service, pointing to a lifecycle approach in contrast to EPC-only delivery models. Cybersecurity and operational resilience have been cited as integral components of the system design—an increasingly relevant consideration given the growing digitization of critical infrastructure.
The Kallo site itself offers symbolic continuity: once home to a gas and fuel oil plant decommissioned in 2011, it will now host a fully renewable-aligned storage system. This adaptive reuse aligns with broader European Union priorities around brownfield redevelopment and infrastructure decarbonization.
Belgium’s battery storage buildout remains modest relative to peer nations. As of 2023, the country had under 200 MWh of operational large-scale battery capacity, compared to over 2 GWh in the UK and more than 1 GWh in Germany. However, the inclusion of battery storage within the CRM framework is expected to catalyze further projects, particularly if Elia increases the transparency and scope of remuneration terms.
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