Nala Renewables has begun constructing a 25MW battery energy storage systems in Belgium, located at Nyrstar’s zinc smelting operation in Balen.
The project, with a four-hour duration, represents an investment of €30m and will come online towards the end of the year.
It will provide greater stability to the Belgian electricity grid by helping to balance supply of renewable energy with energy demand.
Nala Renewables is a joint venture between Nyrstar parent company Trafigura and IFM Investors.
Nala Renewables aims to contribute to the shift to renewable energy by initiating projects worldwide with a cumulative generative capacity of 4GW, to be operating, in construction, or in late-stage development by 2025.
Deputy Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation, Employment, Social Economy and Agriculture and Sea Fisheries Hilde Crevits attending the groundworks ceremony.
She said renewable energy and energy storage systems are of “crucial importance” in the transition towards sustainable energy.
Crevits said: “That is why we, together with the Flemish government, are supporting this BESS project with €1m of Strategic Ecology Support (STRES).
“With this super battery we are putting Flanders on the map in Europe.”
“We’re delighted to host this project for Nala Renewables,” said Daniel Vanin, Nyrstar’s CEO.
“Thanks to our expertise and facilities, we are already acting as a hotspot that can make the connection between generated green power and the Belgian grid.
“Nyrstar Balen runs almost entirely on electricity and the BESS fulfils our ambition to produce a completely ‘green zinc’ and to maintain our place at the top of our industry in terms of energy efficiency.
“Today’s sky-high electricity prices confirm this strategic choice.”