Swedish engineering consultancy firm Sweco has been selected to design the Green Turtle battery park, one of Europe's largest energy storage systems, in Belgium. The project is being developed by GIGA Storage Belgium and will help stabilize the energy grid by storing renewable energy for use during periods of low solar and wind generation, reducing reliance on gas power plants.
The Green Turtle battery park will have a capacity of 700 megawatts and a storage capacity of 2,800 megawatt-hours, which could supply electricity to around 385,000 households annually. Construction is set to begin in 2025, with the facility expected to be operational by 2028.
This large-scale project is part of Europe's broader efforts to source 42.5% of its energy from renewables by 2030, although slow grid permitting and infrastructure upgrades remain challenges. Recently, the European Union approved a €682 million Belgian state aid scheme to support offshore wind projects, underlining the region's commitment to its energy transition goals.
Joeri Siborgs, General Manager of GIGA Storage Belgium, highlighted the significance of the collaboration with Sweco, calling the Green Turtle project a key milestone in advancing large-scale electricity storage for Europe's energy transition.