ENGIE and NHOA Energy Break Ground on Landmark 400 MWh Battery Storage Project in Belgium
In a significant stride toward a cleaner and more flexible energy future, global energy leader ENGIE, in collaboration with NHOA Energy, celebrated the groundbreaking of a major battery energy storage system (BESS) in Kallo, a district in Beveren, Belgium. With a storage capacity of 400 megawatt-hours (MWh), this project represents a cornerstone in Belgium’s transition to a more sustainable, decentralized, and renewable-focused power grid.
A Milestone Event in Belgium’s Energy Transition
The official groundbreaking ceremony took place earlier today and was attended by key public and private sector figures, underscoring the strategic importance of the initiative. Among the dignitaries present were Mathieu Bihet, Belgium’s Federal Minister of Energy; Marc Van de Vijver, Mayor of Beveren; Vincent Verbeke, CEO of ENGIE Belgium; and Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, Global Managing Director of NHOA Energy.
Held at the former site of the Kallo power plant—which historically ran on natural gas and fuel oil until it was decommissioned in 2011—the event signified not only the start of construction but also the symbolic transformation of Belgium’s energy infrastructure. The project will repurpose this brownfield site into a hub for clean, flexible, and high-tech energy storage.
Scope and Significance of the Project
The Kallo BESS will be built and delivered by NHOA Energy under a supply contract and a long-term service agreement with ENGIE. Once operational, the system will have the capability to store and deliver electricity for up to four hours. This means the system could meet the electricity needs of over 48,000 Belgian households during peak demand or grid imbalances—an impressive feat that reflects both the scale and the societal impact of the project.
The battery park is expected to enhance grid reliability, support renewable energy integration, and provide critical services such as frequency regulation and load balancing. These capabilities are particularly crucial in an energy landscape increasingly dominated by intermittent sources like wind and solar.
Supporting National and European Energy Goals
The Kallo project is not occurring in a vacuum; it’s a direct outcome of Belgium’s evolving energy strategy. The initiative follows ENGIE’s selection in the fourth auction of the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) conducted by Elia, Belgium’s national transmission system operator.
Established by the Belgian federal government, the CRM is designed to ensure a reliable supply of electricity as the country phases out part of its nuclear generation capacity by 2025. With the closure of aging reactors, and increasing demand for clean energy, Belgium faces an impending gap in installed generation capacity. Projects like Kallo are vital in filling this gap and enhancing energy security.
In this context, the Kallo BESS will serve as a flexible and fast-responding backup, able to discharge stored energy when demand peaks or when renewable output drops due to weather variability.
A Technological Achievement
NHOA Energy brings nearly two decades of experience in energy storage technology to this venture. The company’s expertise in power electronics, system integration, and cybersecurity ensures that the Kallo BESS will operate with high reliability and resilience. These are essential features for any critical infrastructure component in the modern power grid.
Moreover, the system will be designed to comply with the highest European standards for safety, performance, and environmental impact. With rising concerns over grid vulnerability and cyber threats, the Kallo project also places a strong emphasis on digital security and operational transparency.
Leadership Perspectives
Speaking at the ceremony, Vincent Verbeke, CEO of ENGIE Belgium, emphasized the collective effort and vision behind the initiative:
“It is with great pride that we are launching the construction of this battery park in Kallo today, together with the Minister of Energy, the municipality, and our valuable partners. This is ENGIE’s second large-scale battery park in Belgium, a project that can only be realized through close cooperation with all of them. By developing this additional flexible capacity, we are contributing to the optimal use of wind and solar energy and meeting the needs of the electricity grid.”
Verbeke’s remarks highlight the strategic role of energy storage in balancing Belgium’s renewable energy supply, enabling greater penetration of variable sources like wind and solar without compromising grid stability.
Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, Global Managing Director of NHOA Energy, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of long-term partnerships:
“We are proud to once again join forces with ENGIE, reinforcing our mutual dedication to expanding battery energy storage solutions across Europe. This partnership to support the Belgian grid operator, Elia, underscores the essential role of energy storage in enabling the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient energy system.”
ENGIE’s Broader Strategy in Energy Storage
The Kallo facility represents the second large-scale energy storage initiative by ENGIE in Belgium, demonstrating the company’s commitment to innovation in the energy transition. Across Europe and globally, ENGIE has been increasingly investing in grid-scale battery systems, seeing them as a critical enabler for decarbonization and energy decentralization.
By combining renewable generation, storage, and digital grid services, ENGIE aims to build integrated solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The company’s portfolio includes wind farms, solar plants, hydrogen projects, and now, an expanding footprint in energy storage—crucial for providing dispatchable clean energy.
NHOA Energy: A Rising Leader in Grid-Scale Storage
NHOA Energy, formerly part of the ENGIE group before becoming a subsidiary of TCC Group, has positioned itself as a top-tier global player in utility-scale battery storage. With a presence in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, the company’s mission is to enable the transformation of power systems from fossil-based to renewable-powered.
In addition to engineering and deploying high-performance BESS, NHOA is focused on long-term partnerships and service agreements that ensure performance over the full lifecycle of storage systems. The Kallo project serves as a flagship in Europe, both in terms of scale and technological sophistication.
Environmental and Community Impact
The decision to repurpose the former Kallo power station site is not just symbolic; it is a practical example of how industrial brownfields can be revitalized to serve new, greener purposes. By building the battery park on this site, the project avoids further land use while breathing new life into a previously dormant energy hub.
The municipality of Beveren has shown strong support for the initiative, seeing it as a positive development for local infrastructure, employment, and the environment. Once operational, the project is expected to provide direct and indirect employment opportunities, both during construction and throughout its operational lifetime.
