Eneco and EP NL Launch 50 MW/200 MWh Europoort Battery to Boost Grid Flexibility

Eneco and EP NL Launch 50 MW/200 MWh Europoort Battery to Boost Grid Flexibility

(IN BRIEF) Eneco and EP NL are partnering on a 50 MW/200 MWh battery at Enecogen’s Europoort plant, due in 2027, to store excess renewable energy and release it during peak demand. The project will reduce curtailment of green power, smooth price spikes, and ease grid congestion. Enecogen will manage operations, while Eneco and EP NL handle trading. The release underscores the Netherlands’ lag in battery deployment due to grid fees, calling for net‑tariff exemptions like those in Germany and Belgium. Company leaders stress the need for more storage capacity and a complementary capacity mechanism to secure long‑term power reliability.

(PRESS RELEASE) ROTTERDAM, 15-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Eneco and EP NL are co‑developing a substantial battery storage installation at Enecogen’s Europoort power plant, each holding a 50 percent stake in the venture. Scheduled to enter service in 2027, the system will provide 50 MW of connection capacity and 200 MWh of energy storage—enough to discharge at full power for four hours—thereby enhancing flexibility within the Dutch electricity grid.

This battery will capture surplus generation—particularly during peak solar and wind output—and dispatch stored energy precisely when demand outstrips renewable supply. By doing so, it will help avoid curtailment of green power, dampen price volatility, and alleviate congestion on the transmission network. Enecogen will oversee operations and maintenance, while Eneco and EP NL’s trading teams will manage its dispatch.

Despite the critical role batteries play in decarbonizing energy systems, the Netherlands trails its neighbours in deploying storage assets. Grid connection fees for batteries—unlike in Germany and Belgium, where exemptions apply—often impede project economics. Although time‑varying network tariffs offer some relief, they do not bridge the gap. To accelerate the energy transition, the Netherlands should introduce a net‑tariff exemption for battery storage.

Karen de Lathouder, COO Assets at Eneco, commented, “Investing in this battery marks a milestone after years of development, yet it’s regrettable that it’s our first owned installation in the Netherlands. We need far more capacity to prevent power shortages, relieve congestion, and reduce system emissions. Exempting batteries from grid charges—as done in Belgium and Germany—would catalyse this growth.”

Martin Bartošovič, CEO of EP NL, added, “This partnership showcases how market expertise, technological innovation, and collaboration come together to strengthen our energy system’s stability and sustainability. By backing this project, we’re investing in both immediate flexibility and the future resilience of the Dutch power supply.”

Looking ahead, short‑term storage must be complemented by mechanisms that secure long‑term flexibility. As solar and wind generation rise, traditional power plants operate less frequently, making new investments challenging—even though they remain essential during low‑renewable periods. Implementing a capacity mechanism will ensure these plants—and the battery installations that support them—work in concert to deliver a reliable, decarbonized electricity system.

Media Contact:

Marnix Heijboer
Spokesperson
email: marnix.heijboer@eneco.com
Tel: +31 65157 9851

SOURCE: Eneco