Wartsila Building Energy Storage in Support of Belgian Grid

Why It Matters

The storage asset bolsters Belgium’s grid reliability during a rapid renewable transition, showcasing the growing commercial role of large‑scale batteries in European energy markets.

Key Takeaways

• 50 MW/100 MWh BESS slated for Belgium by 2027
• Supports Belgium’s Capacity Remuneration Mechanism for grid stability
• Wärtsilä’s GridSolve Quantum 2 paired with GEMS software
• First Wärtsilä project participating in Belgian CRM
• Belgium renewable share now 30%, aiming higher

Pulse Analysis

Belgium’s power system is at a crossroads, shifting from a fossil‑heavy mix to a renewable‑centric portfolio that now accounts for roughly 30 percent of generation. This transition creates a pressing need for flexible resources that can smooth intermittent wind and solar output, especially as the nation phases out nuclear capacity. The Capacity Remuneration Mechanism, a market framework that rewards assets for providing ancillary services, has emerged as a key policy tool to ensure supply security, and large‑scale battery storage is positioned as a primary solution.

The Wärtsilä‑Gram­me Storage 1 project leverages the GridSolve Quantum 2 platform, a modular lithium‑ion system capable of rapid response and high round‑trip efficiency. Integrated with the GEMS optimization suite, the BESS can autonomously manage frequency regulation, voltage support, and peak‑shaving tasks while meeting performance guarantees outlined in an engineered equipment delivery contract. With a 50‑MW power rating and 100‑MWh energy capacity, the installation can deliver up to two hours of full‑load output, providing essential grid‑balancing services that traditional generators struggle to match.

Strategically, the project marks Wärtsilä’s first foray into Belgium’s CRM and pushes its European storage footprint beyond 2.7 GWh, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of turnkey energy‑storage solutions. The successful deployment will likely accelerate investor confidence in similar battery projects across the continent, where policy incentives and renewable targets are converging. As utilities and developers seek to de‑risk grid modernization, Wärtsilä’s combined hardware‑software offering could become a benchmark for future large‑scale storage contracts, driving both market growth and technological innovation.

Wartsila Building Energy Storage in Support of Belgian Grid

By Darrell Proctor · Monday, February 16 2026

Technology group Wärtsilä has been selected by Gramme Storage 1 to deliver a 50‑MW/100‑MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in central‑eastern Belgium. The companies said on February 16 that the project supports Belgium’s transition toward the use of more renewable energy resources.

The groups said construction is ongoing, with completion expected by mid‑2027.

“This project with Wärtsilä underscores our commitment to dependable, flexible energy in Belgium,” said Guillaume Poncelet, Managing Director at Kallima Energies, the Liège‑based developer of the project. “This collaboration highlights the growing role of battery energy storage in supporting Belgium’s electricity system. By delivering essential ancillary services, the system will play a vital role in balancing the grid.”

Government data shows renewable energy provides about 30 % of Belgium’s power‑generation capacity, with wind accounting for about 18 % and solar about 12 %. The country in recent years has invested in offshore wind and solar power; it is phasing out nuclear power and moving away from fossil fuels, which accounted for more than 70 % of Belgium’s power generation just five years ago.

Energy Strategy

Gramme 1 represents Wärtsilä’s first energy‑storage project participating in Belgium’s Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM). This framework is designed to ensure Belgium’s energy‑supply security by enabling assets to deliver essential grid services such as frequency and voltage support that contribute to electricity‑system resilience and dependability.

“This project in partnership with Gramme Storage 1 reflects our shared focus on supporting Belgium’s energy security and grid stability during the transition to a more renewable power system,” said David Hebert, Vice President of Global Sales Management, Wärtsilä Energy Storage. “Wärtsilä’s advanced technology will enable the site to provide critical ancillary services that support a resilient, future‑ready grid.”

Gramme 1 will utilize Wärtsilä’s GridSolve Quantum 2 energy‑storage system together with its control and optimization software, GEMS, to deliver a standalone, fully integrated solution that enhances grid flexibility, reliability, and sustainability. Wärtsilä will also deliver the project under an engineered equipment delivery (EEQ) contract, with guaranteed asset performance under a separate long‑term service agreement. Wärtsilä’s energy‑storage portfolio in Europe, when including this project, now exceeds 2.7 GWh.

— Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.

---

Tags: battery energy storage, Belgium, BESS, fossil fuels, GEMS, nuclear, renewables, Wärtsilä.