Vattenfall has entered into a tolling agreement with Royal Vopak to obtain access to battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity in the Netherlands.

Under the terms of the deal, Vattenfall will secure 100MW/400MW-hours (MWh) from a planned BESS near Meeden in Groningen province.

The total project, developed and managed by Vopak, will have a capacity of 150MW and is expected to begin commercial operations in the second quarter of 2028.

The agreement aims to support the balancing of fluctuations between electricity supply and demand as the Dutch power system incorporates increasing amounts of renewable energy.

Battery storage enables the absorption of surplus electricity from renewable sources during periods of high production and can return power to the grid when demand rises or renewable output drops.

According to Vattenfall, the secured BESS capacity will contribute to greater flexibility in its operations and aligns with the company’s objective to contract at least 1.5GW of BESS capacity across its core markets.

Vattenfall wholesale energy head Erik Suichies said: “As the energy system becomes increasingly renewable, flexibility plays a crucial role in maintaining balance between supply and demand. Battery storage helps make better use of renewable electricity and contributes to a more reliable and efficient energy system.

“We are pleased to partner with Vopak and support the development of large-scale energy storage in the Netherlands.”

For Vopak, the deal represents a further step in its business expansion into electrical energy storage.

Vopak battery energy storage solutions business development vice-president Jarno Veldhoven said: “With our aim to provide reliable and affordable battery systems to our customers we are excited to have Vattenfall as a long-term partner.”

The partnership brings together Vattenfall and Vopak, both established players in the Dutch energy sector, and combines large-scale storage infrastructure with market expertise in flexibility optimisation.

The companies aim to enhance the resilience of the Dutch electricity grid and support the integration of renewable energy sources.

In July 2026, Vopak completed the acquisition of a 79% controlling interest in Green Energy Storage, a Netherlands-based developer specialising in BESS.