Trianel, a German municipal utility consortium, is set to develop a 900-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Waltrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, in what is expected to become one of the largest projects of its kind in Germany.
The project is being developed in partnership with Swiss infrastructure group BKW and German asset manager Luxcara. Additional municipal utility partners (Stadtwerke) are expected to join later this year. The site was originally designated for a coal-fired power station in nearby Lünen but is now being repurposed for clean energy infrastructure.
The first phase of the scheme will feature three battery systems of 300MW each, with a combined storage capacity of 1,800 megawatt-hours (MWh). A second phase could add another 600MW of capacity, bringing the total potential to 1.5GW.
“Flexibility is the key to a successful energy transition,” said Sven Becker, chief executive of Trianel. “Battery storage systems are ideal for stabilising the overall system in a way that serves both the market and the grid.”
Luxcara has secured a 520MW share in the project. “The conversion of an industrial wasteland previously designated for coal is a clear symbol of our commitment to driving the energy transition,” said Alexander Lüntzel, investment manager at Luxcara.
BKW chief executive Robert Itschner added: “Large-scale batteries enable us to store renewable energy intelligently and act in a targeted manner. BKW brings expertise across the entire value chain.”
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, using modular lithium iron phosphate (LFP)-based container systems, with commissioning targeted for the first quarter of 2028. The project is currently subject to antitrust approval.
