Elia Transmission Belgium, the country's electricity transmission system operator, has published the results of three auctions under its Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM), covering the delivery periods 2027–2028, 2028–2029 and 2030–2031.

According to the official reports released on October 29, 2026, large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) secured 464.66 MW of new-build capacity in the Y-2 auction for 2028–2029 and 482.52 MW in the Y-4 auction for 2030–2031.

The combined figure of 947.18 MW represents capacity contracts awarded across two different delivery periods. It should not be interpreted as confirmation of an equivalent amount of separate physical battery installations, as the same projects may participate in more than one auction.

Elia reported that offered capacity exceeded demand in all three auctions and that the capacity requirements established by Belgium's Minister of Energy were met.

Belgium awards 1.57 GW for 2028–2029, including 464.66 MW of new large-scale batteries

In the Y-2 auction for the 2028–2029 delivery period, Elia awarded 1,565.66 MW of electricity capacity across several technologies.

Large-scale batteries secured 590.61 MW, representing 37.72% of the total awarded capacity. Of this volume, 464.66 MW corresponded to projects classified as Additional – New Build, while 125.95 MW was associated with existing battery installations.

Combined-cycle gas turbines accounted for the largest share of the auction, with 754.20 MW, equivalent to 48.17% of the total.

The detailed auction report identifies several companies among the successful battery storage participants, including GIGA Green Turtle BV, Luminus, Electrabel, Aspiravi, Bnewable and Ruien Energy Storage.

GIGA Green Turtle BV secured 239.70 MW through five selected bids associated with one battery capacity market unit, alongside 66.30 MW through another unit. Both were classified as new four-hour storage installations.

Other selected new-build battery capacity included 32.19 MW for Luminus and two allocations of 18.51 MW each for Electrabel. Aspiravi and other participants also secured contracts for storage capacity.

The auction included smaller storage installations and other electricity resources, which are identified separately in Elia's report.

Including capacity previously contracted for the same delivery period, Belgium has secured approximately 5.8 GW for 2028–2029.

Elia reported an auction cost of approximately €34 million, with a weighted average price of €21,643/MW/year.

New batteries account for nearly 63% of capacity awarded for 2030–2031

The Y-4 auction for the 2030–2031 delivery period awarded 769.28 MW of electricity capacity.

Large-scale batteries accounted for 482.52 MW, equivalent to 62.72% of the total selected volume. All awarded capacity in this technology category was classified as Additional – New Build.

The official report identifies battery storage contracts awarded to companies including GIGA Green Turtle BV, MVA-Project Co. 4, Eneco Wind Belgium, ECLIPSE SAS, Electrabel, Aspiravi and Renner Energies Belgium.

Among the selected participants, GIGA Green Turtle BV secured 220.90 MW, distributed across five bids associated with the same capacity market unit.

Other new-build battery awards included 94 MW for MVA-Project Co. 4, 85.54 MW for Eneco Wind Belgium and 35 MW for ECLIPSE SAS.

Smaller allocations were also awarded to Electrabel, Aspiravi and Renner Energies Belgium, among other participants. Contract durations vary according to the characteristics and eligibility of each project.

Elia reported that submitted capacity exceeded the required volume by approximately 3.1 GW.

Including contracts awarded in earlier auctions for the same delivery period, Belgium has secured approximately 4.9 GW of capacity for 2030–2031.

The Y-4 auction cost was approximately €14 million, with a weighted average price of €18,143/MW/year.

No additional capacity awarded for 2027–2028

The third auction, conducted under the Y-1 framework for the 2027–2028 delivery period, resulted in no additional capacity awards.

According to Elia, the capacity requirement for this auction was reduced to zero following adjustments to the electricity adequacy scenario, including cross-border contributions and capacity available outside the CRM.

Nevertheless, Belgium already has approximately 6.5 GW of cumulative contracted capacity for 2027–2028, secured through previous auctions for that delivery period.

The cumulative cost of these contracts is approximately €200 million, with a weighted average price of €30,944/MW/year.

These figures refer to all capacity contracts secured for 2027–2028 and not to new awards in the latest Y-1 auction.

How Belgium's Capacity Remuneration Mechanism works

Belgium's Capacity Remuneration Mechanism is designed to ensure sufficient electricity resources are available to meet demand and maintain security of supply.

Unlike the wholesale electricity market, which remunerates electricity delivered, the CRM provides payments linked to the availability of contracted capacity.

The mechanism allows eligible technologies to compete, including conventional generation, battery storage and demand-side resources. Successful participants must comply with the availability obligations and contractual conditions established for their respective delivery periods.

For battery developers, these contracts can provide a revenue stream associated with making electricity capacity available when required by the system.

However, the capacity values reported by Elia correspond to derated MW selected under the CRM, rather than the nominal power or energy storage capacity of each installation. They also do not establish whether the projects have already been built or entered commercial operation.

Battery storage contracts span multiple delivery periods

Across the latest Y-2 and Y-4 auctions, Elia selected 947.18 MW of new-build large-scale battery capacity, comprising 464.66 MW for 2028–2029 and 482.52 MW for 2030–2031.

The results highlight the role of battery storage in Belgium's capacity procurement, particularly in the Y-4 auction, where new large-scale batteries represented nearly two-thirds of the awarded volume.

The two figures nevertheless refer to different delivery periods and should not be added together as if they represented distinct new battery installations.

With the publication of all three auction results, Elia confirmed that the required electricity capacity had been contracted for the delivery periods assessed.