Green Turtle Battery Park is a large-scale energy storage project that is planned to be developed in Belgium.
The 700MW capacity project is being developed by energy storage project developer GIGA Storage Belgium.
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Initially, the project was planned to have a storage capacity of 600MW. Subsequently, the capacity was increased to 700MW for technical optimisation.
Once operational, Green Turtle will be capable of delivering up to 2,800MWh of electricity, making it one of the largest battery parks in continental Europe.
The development of Green Turtle Battery Park is aligned with GIGA Storage’s goal to achieve 5GW installed capacity by 2030.
Green Turtle Battery Park Location
The Green Turtle Battery Park will be located on the Rotem industrial estate in Dilsen-Stokkem, a city and municipality in the Belgian Province of Limburg.
The battery park will be situated adjacent to the future high-voltage station of Elia, which manages the Belgian high-voltage grid. This will enable connecting Green Turtle directly to the 380kV high-voltage grid via the Van Eyck – Gramme line of Elia.
A planting zone of 25,650m2 will be developed around the project.
The company acquired the land for the project from the Budé family, who owned the erstwhile zinc factory at the site.
Battery Park Development Timeline
The company submitted an application in December 2023 for environmental permit to Dilsen-Stokkem city. Subsequently, in January 2024, GIGA Storage Belgium unveiled plans to develop the Green Turtle Battery Park in Belgium.
In early 2024, public inquiry regarding the licencing procedure was conducted. The preparation for the construction of the battery park will commence in late 2024.
The construction phase will run from 2025 to 2028. In the first phase, the project site will be prepared, followed by technical installations.
The battery storage park is expected to be commissioned in 2028.
In April 2024, GIGA Storage secured the permit for the construction of the large-scale battery park. The milestone will enable the company to advance with the financing for this project.
Rabobank, via its investment arm Rabo Investments, acquired a minority stake in GIGA Storage in December 2022.
In May 2024, European infrastructure investor InfraVia Capital Partners became a majority shareholder in GIGA Storage. The financial details were not divulged.
As a result of this transaction, Rabo Investments exited as the minority stakeholder in GIGA Storage.
Green Turtle Battery Park Details
The Green Turtle Battery Park infrastructure will consist of interconnected large batteries, inverters, transformers, and grid connection.
A total of 720 batteries will be installed, each accompanied by an inverter.
GIGA Storage Belgium has selected lithium-ion batteries for the project. These batteries use lithium ions to store energy.
The project will also feature 185 medium voltage transformers and five high voltage transformers. Each high voltage transformer will have a capacity of 1,500MVA.
The batteries will be connected to transformers which in turn, will be connected to the Belgian grid.
Green Turtle Battery Park will store surplus renewable energy and provide the stored energy during periods of low solar and wind energy production.
The supply, during peak hours or emergencies, will reduce the reliance on coal and gas power plants.
The storage capacity of 2,800MWh is equivalent to the average annual energy consumption of 385,000 households.
Additionally, the battery park will be equipped with fire detection systems to ensure safety.
Green Turtle Battery Park Contractors
In October 2024, GIGA Storage Belgium contracted architecture and engineering consultancy Sweco for the Green Turtle Battery Park. The scope of the contract includes the design of civil and electrical engineering works of the battery system.
The owner’s engineer for the battery park is construction engineering company Tractebel.
Under the contract, Tractebel will provide technical support services for the project related to batteries, grid connection, fire protection, civil works, and electrical facilities. Tractebel work scope will commence from the design phase of the project.
