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Centrica is building a new battery park in the port of Ostend. This should be ready by early next year to store power on a large scale. Business AM spoke with Jeroen Verbeeck, Head of European Asset Development at Centrica, about the grand plans.

Listen to the full interview with Jeroen Verbeeck here:

Background: Centrica is the UK's largest supplier of gas and electricity. Since 2017, the company is back in Belgium after acquiring Restore, specialized in new energy technologies and services. They had expertise in control algorithms and battery technology. The acquisition still makes Centrica the market leader in grid support services.

  • Verbeeck explains why Belgium is so attractive: "The is the challenge, which is after all a significant part of energy production. But on the other hand, Belgium is already very progressive in a number of things. Think for example of offshore wind where Belgium is a forerunner."
  • "Also the grid operators are very progressive to be able to solve the challenges. A framework has been created where new technologies can also participate."
  • "A huge energy transition is going to happen. is essential in this. It's very important because the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow. The huge megawatts (of batteries, ed.) that are being built in the North Sea, those are almost unimaginable. There may be six to nine gigawatts added in Belgium. That's a huge influx of renewable energy," Verbeeck says.

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