Sungrow, a leader in PV inverters and energy storage, has connected 400 MWh of ENGIE’s 200 MW/800 MWh battery project in Vilvoorde, Belgium, to the grid. This marks the start of mainland Europe’s largest battery project, featuring 320 units of Sungrow’s PowerTitan liquid-cooled technology.
The company highlights that the second phase will be connected by late 2025. It will provide reliable, clean power to nearly 96,000 Belgian households. Located just north of Brussels, this project is a major step toward green energy and energy security for Belgium.
From Gas to Gigawatts: ENGIE’s Bold Battery Investment
Vilvoorde has been linked to electricity generation since the 1960s, mainly using fossil fuels. But ENGIE is transforming the 30-hectare site by adding a three-hectare battery park next to its gas plant.
Belgium’s Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) auctions began in 2021. They ensure enough supply to prevent shortages, especially in winter. ENGIE won the project through this mechanism. Construction started after Elia, the national grid operator, approved the plan in late 2023.
Moving on, the Vilvoorde battery park will launch in two phases, each with 100 MW, spaced three months apart. Phase one is already operational. Phase two should be completed by late 2025. ENGIE is investing €230–290 million. This project is the first of its size in continental Europe, outside the UK.
Vilvoorde Battery Park
Scaling Energy Storage
Belgium’s experience with energy storage has been limited to pilot projects, like the smaller Battery Park in Drogenbos. With Vilvoorde, ENGIE is moving from testing to large-scale deployment.
“This project shows One ENGIE in action,” said Quentin Renoy, ENGIE Belgium’s BESS Business Developer. “It’s about flexible generation and teamwork across market analysis, legal, and public relations.”
The battery park has a 15-year contract with Elia. This ensures a steady income while supporting Belgium’s renewable grid.
A Reliable Backup
While storage offers clean energy, Belgium still faces gaps between demand and renewable capacity. In October 2023, authorities confirmed that ENGIE’s former gas power plant in Vilvoorde will serve as a backup unit for three years, with options to extend.
This dual approach—using flexible storage and legacy plants—ensures Belgium can transition without supply shortages.
ENGIE also plans similar projects in Kallo (near Antwerp) and Drogenbos, expected to start in 2024.
Europe’s Modern Infrastructure for a Net-Zero Future
- Data shows that the European Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) market is expected to jump from US$18.1 billion in 2024 to US$87.34 billion by 2033, growing at a 19.11% CAGR.
This rise is attributed to increased renewable energy use, government support, and lower battery costs. BESS boosts energy efficiency by storing extra renewable power, helping grids stay stable.
Countries such as France, Germany, the UK, and Spain are rapidly expanding BESS to enhance grid resilience with innovative battery technologies.
The Vilvoorde project does more than provide electricity for households. It modernizes Europe’s energy infrastructure. By absorbing excess renewable power during high-production times and releasing it during peak demand, the system tackles clean energy’s biggest challenge: intermittency.
Large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) like this ensure stability, prevent grid congestion, and create a model for integrating renewables into existing grids across Europe.
Safe, Smart, and Scalable Technology
Both phases of the Vilvoorde project use Sungrow’s PowerTitan liquid-cooled storage units. These units have compact, modular designs that optimize land use and allow quick deployment.
They include intelligent cooling to maintain temperature stability, extend battery life, and reduce costs. This setup ensures safety, efficiency, and reliability.
Vincent Verbeke, CEO of ENGIE Belgium, said,
“With the first series of batteries now operational in Vilvoorde, ENGIE is delivering part of the additional flexibility the electricity grid requires to balance supply and demand. The efficient construction of this battery park is only possible thanks to strong partnerships. By working hand in hand with trusted and innovative partners such as Sungrow, we can continue to accelerate the integration of renewables into the grid, and help deliver a more reliable, sustainable and affordable energy system.”
Sungrow’s Growing Footprint in Europe
Sungrow has a solid presence in the BeNeLux region, providing technical support, sales, and after-sales services from local offices and its R&D center in Amsterdam. The company engages with the market through industry events like Intersolution and Laadinfra Congress, while hosting its own summits, such as the EV Charging Summit in Amsterdam.
This local presence ensures Sungrow delivers effective solutions to partners, reinforcing its commitment to Europe’s clean energy transition.
Globally, Sungrow has over 28 years of experience in renewable power solutions, having installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide by June 2025. BloombergNEF consistently ranks Sungrow as the world’s most bankable PV inverter and energy storage provider.
Carbon Neutral Goals
The company has pledged to achieve operational carbon neutrality by 2028 (Scope 1 and 2 emissions) while managing Scope 3 emissions across its supply chain.
Its strategy includes:
- Phasing out fuel-powered vehicles and forklifts for electric alternatives.
- Electrifying all new canteens and eliminating gas use in operations.
- Removing SF6-based equipment from distribution systems.
- Expanding renewable electricity use across facilities.
- Improving energy efficiency in production and manufacturing.
Sungrow is committed to staying on track. It has joined initiatives like RE100, which focuses on 100% renewable electricity, and EP100, which aims for better energy productivity.
It has set measurable performance targets, including energy consumption per production unit. Annual monitoring ensures transparency and accountability.
Vilvoorde Battery Park: A Blueprint for Europe
The Vilvoorde battery park is a model for Europe’s energy transition. It shows how large-scale storage can stabilize grids, support renewables, and cut fossil fuel use.
By combining ENGIE’s expertise in energy management with Sungrow’s technology, Belgium is positioning itself at the forefront of Europe’s clean energy transformation.
As the continent works toward its 2050 net-zero goals, projects like Vilvoorde show us the future of energy. They rely on flexibility, innovation, and strong partnerships. This battery project marks a key step in Europe’s clean energy journey.
It proves that large-scale storage can power homes and balance renewable supply. With ENGIE’s investment and Sungrow’s technology, Belgium leads the way to a greener, stronger power grid. As phase two nears, the project shows that energy storage is crucial for Europe’s net-zero goals.
