Belgium has taken a decisive step forward in Europe’s energy transition with the completion of the first phase of the Terhills Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Dilsen-Stokkem, Flanders.
The project, developed by Eneco, marks a turning point in grid-scale energy storage, a technology now essential for balancing renewable generation and ensuring energy security across the continent.
The Terhills facility currently operates 40 Tesla Megapacks, forming the first phase of what will become one of Europe’s largest stationary battery systems. With 100 MW of power and 200 MWh of capacity, the system can deliver energy for up to two hours—providing vital flexibility to a grid increasingly reliant on intermittent renewables. Once the second phase is complete, total capacity will reach 200 MW / 400 MWh, enough to support grid operations across Belgium and neighboring markets during peak hours or renewable fluctuations.
Belgium’s growing storage capability is not isolated. The ENGIE-led Vilvoorde BESS, a 200 MW / 800 MWh project now in development, underscores the scale of investment flowing into the region. Together, these projects signal Belgium’s emergence as a serious player in Europe’s energy storage ecosystem—bridging the gap between renewable generation and system reliability.
Energy Storage as the Backbone of Renewable Integration
Battery energy storage systems have become the structural backbone of Europe’s renewable build-out. As the share of wind and solar power increases, so does the challenge of matching generation with consumption. Across Europe, periods of excess solar production—particularly midday—contrast sharply with evening demand peaks. Without storage, these imbalances can force grid operators to curtail generation or rely on fossil backup plants.
The Terhills system directly addresses this volatility. Acting as a large-scale rechargeable battery, it absorbs surplus electricity from renewable sources during periods of overproduction and releases it back when demand rises. This dynamic balancing stabilizes frequency, prevents grid congestion, and reduces the need for fossil peaking plants. For grid operators and policymakers, BESS technology is no longer optional—it is becoming central to ensuring flexibility and resilience in the European power system.
Belgium’s commitment to renewables, particularly offshore wind, is rapidly expanding the need for energy storage. The country aims to reach 6 GW of offshore wind by 2030, up from roughly 2.3 GW in operation today, making it one of Europe’s leaders in offshore generation per capita. In 2022, wind power from the North Sea already accounted for 8% of Belgium’s total electricity consumption, a figure expected to grow sharply with new projects under development.
However, this rapid buildout introduces operational risks. High-output periods can overwhelm the grid, forcing temporary shutdowns or exports at negative prices. Grid-scale storage like Terhills mitigates these risks by capturing and redistributing energy locally, thus increasing the efficiency and value of renewable assets. The European Commission’s approval of €1.16 billion in funding for Belgian hydrogen projects further complements this strategy, positioning the country as a hub for clean energy logistics and balancing technologies.
The Terhills BESS exemplifies a Europe-wide acceleration in energy storage deployment. Across the continent, battery storage capacity is projected to exceed 100 GW by 2030, a tenfold increase from 2022 levels, according to BloombergNEF. Germany leads in installed capacity, followed by the UK, Italy, and Spain, but Belgium’s rapid progress highlights how smaller markets can become critical nodes in the continental power network.
Projects under development in Greece, Romania, and Portugal also show how EU policy alignment—through funding mechanisms like the Innovation Fund and REPowerEU—continues to attract private investment. The result is a more distributed, flexible, and interconnected energy system designed to accommodate record renewable penetration without sacrificing reliability.
Behind these projects lies a broader industrial realignment. As BESS installations expand, demand for lithium-ion components, system integrators, and control software is driving a parallel boom in European manufacturing capacity. Battery suppliers such as CATL, Northvolt, and Freyr are scaling up European plants to shorten supply chains and align with new EU rules on sustainable sourcing and recycling.
At the system level, market reforms are following suit. The introduction of capacity markets, flexibility auctions, and ancillary service compensation in several EU member states is creating viable revenue streams for storage operators. Belgium’s integration of BESS assets into balancing markets and capacity reserves is a sign that storage is becoming a mainstream infrastructure asset rather than a niche innovation.
Stay updated on the latest in energy! Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X for real-time news and insights. Don’t miss out on exclusive interviews and webinars—subscribe to our YouTube channel today! Join our community and be part of the conversation shaping the future of energy.
