Centrica Energy is pleased to announce the signing of an Optimisation Agreement for the Auvelais Energy Storage project, a 76 MW / 304 MWh battery energy storage system currently under development in Belgium. The project has been brought to Financial Close and will be operated by Energy Solutions Group (majority-owned by Patronale Life), with project financing supported by KBC Bank and Wallonie Entreprendre Environnement.

With commercial operation expected in the first quarter of 2027, the Auvelais Energy Storage BESS will rely on Centrica Energy’s established multi‑market trading and optimisation services, enabling participation across Day‑Ahead, Intraday, Imbalance markets and Ancillary Services in Belgium. The asset will be optimised continuously in response to market volatility and changing renewable generation patterns.

Auvelais Energy Storage is an important addition to our growing battery portfolio in Europe and a clear signal of both market maturity and the trust our partners place in our optimisation capabilities. By unlocking a broader optimisation window, four-hour batteries are particularly well suited to delivering consistent value in increasingly volatile power systems. We look forward to bringing Auvelais Energy Storage to market and supporting its performance as part of our expanding European battery portfolio.

Cassim Mangerah
Managing Director, Centrica Energy

Auvelais Energy Storage is a key step in ESG’s strategy to develop high‑quality flexibility assets that support the energy transition. Building on the experience from its first battery project, Harmignies, ESG continues to focus on scalable solutions that strengthen electricity systems and enable higher shares of renewable energy.

Auvelais marks a key milestone in scaling our battery portfolio and strengthening our position as an independent power producer. With Centrica Energy as our optimisation partner and the continued support of KBC Bank and Wallonie Entreprendre, we are well positioned to unlock the full value of long-duration storage.

Bert Creemers
CEO, Energy Solutions Group

The Auvelais Energy Storage project will deliver long‑duration (4‑hour) flexibility to the Belgian power system, based on the Tesla Megapack 2 XL platform supplied by a Tier‑1 BESS OEM with a large, utility‑scale installed base across North America, Europe and Australia. This technology choice from ESG supports operational reliability. Combined with the long‑duration design, it underpins a robust and future‑oriented asset expected to remain fit‑for‑purpose as market conditions evolve.

About Centrica Energy
Centrica Energy is the energy trading and optimisation arm of Centrica plc, responsible for managing commodity risk and sourcing energy on behalf of Centrica Group’s energy supply activities.

 

Centrica Energy is a global energy trading company which helps move energy from source to use powering businesses, homes, and societies. Across 8 offices on three continents, and with 800+ passionate and highly skilled energy experts, they trade power, gas, liquified natural gas and green certificates, connecting energy producers, suppliers and offtakers in wholesale energy markets. 

 

Centrica Energy is one of the largest renewable asset managers in Europe, with over 19.5 GW of capacity under contract, of which more than 85% is renewable assets.

 

About Energy Solutions Group  

Energy Solutions Group is an industrial and internationally focused energy company that is accelerating the sustainable energy transition by creating long-term value through a buy-and-hold growth strategy and by investing in infrastructure using proven technologies in the fields of solar energy, wind energy, fast-charging infrastructure and energy storage.