Work Starts on Largest Dutch Battery Storage Project

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Construction is underway at the first large-scale, grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS) in the Netherlands.

The 100-megawatt (MW)/200 megawatt-hour (MWh) Antares facility at Waddinxveen is set to become the largest storage project to be connected to the country's high-voltage network, operated by TenneT (Arnhem, Netherlands), when commissioned next year. Developer Return Energy (Amsterdam, Netherlands) said that it will store enough energy to temporarily power approximately 50% of The Hague, the leading city in the south of the country and home to the United Nations (UN). The company said the project will stabilize the Dutch grid, reduce congestion, and integrate renewables ensuring a more sustainable energy system. It added: "As grid congestion continues to challenge the Dutch energy system, Antares will store excess renewable energy, deploying it when demand spikes to stabilize the grid. As the first active large-scale BESS location in the Netherlands directly connected to TenneT, it will play a pivotal role in enhancing grid flexibility. By reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based solutions, the capacity will cut CO2 emissions, accelerate the transition to a fully renewable energy system and support the Netherlands' climate goals." Antares will feature more than 600 of TheBattery Elements modules by Dutch company Alfen (Almere). Industrial Info is tracking 135 Dutch BESS projects worth more than US$6.6 billion in investment. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.

‍"Energy storage is evolving into a foundational technology for a resilient energy system," said Willem-Jan Schutte, chief executive officer at Return. "With Antares, we're demonstrating how smart, flexible storage can unlock the full potential of renewable energy while ensuring grid stability." Yves Vercammen, Sales and Business Development Manager at Alfen, added: "Effective local energy buffering solutions are key to balancing supply and demand, improving predictability and addressing the growing issue of grid congestion in the Netherlands."

Industrial Info is also tracking the company's much larger Project Mufasa, a 320-MW BESS planned for the North Sea port in Vlissingen, a key renewables hub for the Netherlands. Already fully funded, the project will have a grid connection in Borssele, repurposing the site of a former coal-fired power plant. It will use Megapack 2 XL, Tesla's (NASDAQ:TSLA) (Austin, Texas) utility-scale energy storage system. The batteries will be able to charge and discharge 1,400 MWh at 350 MW power capacity, several times per day, enough to power more than 200,000 households. With an investment value of US$300 million and an expected start-up date of 2027, the project will be one of Europe's largest BESS facilities.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).