Commodity trader Trafigura Group has unveiled plans to develop a 25MW energy storage project in Belgium through its Nala Renewables joint venture with IFM Investors.
The €30m battery storage project will be built at Nyrstar’s zinc smelting facility in Balen.
Construction is planned to start during the first half of 2021 following permitting approval, with completion in 2022.
The project will provide grid stability and balancing services for the Belgium grid, as well as help shift renewable energy production into high energy demand periods.
Trafigura head of power and renewables trading Julien Rolland said: “Efficient energy storage has a critical role in the low-carbon economy.
“Weather-reliant renewables, such as wind and solar, generate energy intermittently.
“This needs to be combined with high-capacity energy storage and rapid-release systems that can be used to align peaks and troughs in power generation with changing patterns in demand.
“Projects located on land associated with Nyrstar’s smelting operations are an early focus for Nala Renewables, with similar concepts being formulated for other assets, such as Puma Energy’s Puerto Rico facilities and the MATSA mine in southern Spain.”
Nyrstar chief executive Daniel Vanin said: “We collaborate with partners who help make the shift towards more green energy and climate actions.
“In this case we are keen to use the expertise and facilities we have at Nyrstar Balen to enable the connection between the battery energy storage system and the Belgian grid.
“It is an excellent fit with Nyrstar’s continuous move towards a sustainable operation.
“Our zinc smelters are among the most energy efficient in the world and we already collaborate in large solar panel projects and meaningful wind energy projects in many of the countries where we operate.”