ENGIE and NHOA Energy Advance Strategic Partnership with Major New Battery Project in Belgium
NHOA Energy, a leading global provider of utility-scale energy storage technologies, has strengthened its collaboration with ENGIE through a new contract award for the delivery of an 80 MW / 320 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Drogenbos, Belgium. The agreement covers the supply, commissioning, and long-term service support for the large-scale storage facility, which will be installed at ENGIE’s existing Drogenbos power station, located just outside the city of Brussels.
This latest project reinforces both companies’ commitment to supporting Europe’s clean energy transformation, particularly in markets experiencing rapid growth in renewable electricity generation and the pressing need for flexible grid support solutions.
A Key Asset for Belgium’s Growing Renewable Grid
The Drogenbos BESS is the third major battery asset developed by ENGIE in Belgium, reflecting the nation’s rising focus on grid stability and decarbonization. Belgium is rapidly integrating wind and solar power into its energy mix, and as more intermittent resources connect to the grid, energy storage systems like this play a vital role in balancing supply and demand.
This facility was selected as part of Belgium’s fifth Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) auction, securing a 15-year agreement beginning in November 2027. The CRM initiative is a national policy framework designed to ensure sufficient supply capacity during peak demand periods, especially as conventional generation sources are phased down in favor of clean energy resources.
Once commissioned, the Drogenbos system will provide year-round flexibility services such as fast-response balancing, peak-shaving, and grid congestion management. Its ability to store renewable generation when supply exceeds demand — and release that energy back into the grid when needed — strengthens Belgium’s resilience as it moves closer to achieving climate neutrality goals.
NHEXUS Technology to Power Multi-Hour Storage Capabilities
The project will be powered by NHOA Energy’s proprietary NHEXUS platform, designed specifically for large-scale BESS infrastructures that require high reliability and long-duration storage. The system will utilize 88 advanced battery containers, enabling up to four hours of continuous discharge. This multi-hour configuration significantly increases the operational value of the asset, allowing it to address evening peak consumption periods or support the system during unexpected supply drops.
In practical terms, this level of capacity corresponds to the average daily electricity consumption of more than 38,000 Belgian households. By bridging fluctuations in renewable generation, Drogenbos becomes a critical enabler in Belgium’s energy transition strategy — ensuring that renewable electricity can be used more efficiently throughout the day.
Extending a Successful Collaboration
The Drogenbos BESS represents another major milestone in the growing partnership between ENGIE and NHOA Energy. The two companies are already working together on the construction of the Kallo BESS, a landmark 400 MWh project that has attracted significant attention as one of Belgium’s most impactful energy transition initiatives to date.
Building on that success, this new project demonstrates the trust and strategic alignment between the two companies. ENGIE continues to expand its role as a leading player in flexible energy solutions in Belgium, while NHOA Energy further solidifies its market presence in Europe through the deployment of advanced long-duration storage technology.
Projected Timeline and Long-Term Operational Excellence
Construction activities at the Drogenbos site are planned to begin in March 2026, with the full commissioning and grid activation of the battery facility expected by September 2027.
Upon completion, NHOA Energy will maintain a long-term operational support role under a dedicated service agreement. This includes extensive product and performance guarantees as well as comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) services. Through a combination of:
- continuous system monitoring,
- predictive and data-driven maintenance,
- prompt local service dispatch,
- and resilient asset lifecycle planning,
NHOA Energy will aim to ensure optimized performance and high availability throughout the contract period. These measures enable ENGIE to maximize the commercial and functional value of its investment while extending the battery’s effective lifespan.
Leadership Perspectives
Senior executives from both companies highlighted the importance of this initiative in advancing the energy transition goals of Belgium and the broader European region.
Vincent Verbeke, CEO of ENGIE Belgium, emphasized the role of flexibility in the country’s clean energy strategy:
“With this new battery park, we are strengthening our current position as the Belgian reference in flexible energy generation and storage. It is no coincidence that flexibility is one of the three cornerstones of ENGIE’s strategy in Belgium, alongside renewable energy and smart customer solutions. The flexible storage capacity of batteries will play a key role in tomorrow’s energy system: by balancing supply and demand, they support the electricity grid and help us make optimal use of the available renewable energy.”
Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, Global Managing Director of NHOA Energy, also underlined the significance of returning to a familiar site:
“We are proud to return to Drogenbos, the site of a pilot system we commissioned with ENGIE back in 2018, this time to deliver a landmark project for Belgium’s energy transition. With Drogenbos, we bring to the country another multi-hour storage system powered by our proprietary NHEXUS BESS platform and engineering expertise, reinforcing our position as a long-term partner for the development of flexible and resilient power systems.”
Accelerating the Energy Transition in Europe
As Belgium and its neighbors continue to scale renewable production and phase out conventional power plants, the role of grid-scale energy storage is becoming increasingly crucial. The Drogenbos BESS answers that need by expanding ENGIE’s flexible asset portfolio and providing a durable foundation for future growth in clean electricity resources.
For NHOA Energy, successful execution of this flagship project further positions the company as a trusted partner in Europe’s evolving energy ecosystem, capable of delivering dependable solutions that enhance resilience and accelerate the shift toward a carbon-neutral future.
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