Sweco Belgium
Sweco supports construction of Storm’s large scale battery parks
Storm, developer of renewable energy projects, is building two large‑scale battery parks in Flanders. In Langerlo (Genk), a 100 MW installation with 400 MWh of storage capacity is being developed. In Ruien (Kluisbergen), a 200 MW battery park with 800 MWh of storage will be built. Both sites will also be equipped with a new high-voltage substation, operating respectively at 150 and 400 kV. Sweco supports Storm from the first permitting procedures through to detailed technical design and on‑site execution.
For Sweco, this is a multidisciplinary trajectory in which everything comes together: permitting, civil design, electrical engineering and integration with the high voltage networks. Our teams have worked for months on tender documents, technical evaluations, and the entire design process. The projects in Langerlo and Ruien show how integrated engineering enables us to deliver scalable solutions for a future proof energy system.
Arnoud Alexander, Project Manager Renewable Energy
Battery Energy Storage Systems as the backbone of a flexible energy system
The rapid growth of solar and wind power makes flexible storage indispensable in today’s energy mix. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) absorb production peaks and deliver electricity when demand increases. In this way, they stabilise the grid and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
With these projects, we are taking an important step in expanding flexible energy infrastructure in our country. Large scale battery storage is essential to keep the electricity system stable and to enable further integration of renewable energy. It is also a transformative step for Storm itself. Over the past 15 years, we have developed more than sixty wind turbines in Belgium. By adding flexible storage capacity to our portfolio, we create a well balanced sustainable energy offering for the long term.
Jan Caerts, CEO Storm
BESS Ruien: 200 MW battery park, one of the largest in Europe
In Ruien (Kluisbergen), the project is being built on the site of a former coal fired power plant. Covering an area of more than three hectares, it will consist of 180 lithium-ion battery units, supplied and installed by Tesla. This will make it one of the largest battery parks in Europe. Commissioning is planned for autumn 2027.
Sweco oversaw the entire permitting process—including a re permit in 2025 and a separate permit for a bridge over the Dorpbeek—and developed the complete infrastructure, civil and electrical design. The electrical design and project management are handled by the electrical engineering team, while the infrastructure department is responsible for the infrastructure design and project leadership during execution. Our civil engineering experts are responsible for foundations, the fire wall and the design of the bridge.
BESS Langerlo: 100 MW storage capacity in Genk
The battery park in Langerlo (Genk) is being built on a nearly two hectare site in the port area of Genk South. The park will be connected to the transmission grid via the high voltage connection of a former coal fired power plant. Here too, Storm uses lithium ion batteries supplied and installed by Tesla. Commissioning of this project is expected in summer 2027.
Sweco supported the full permitting procedures from an early stage, resulting in an initial permit in 2022 and a re permit in 2025. Internally, the entire permitting process was coordinated, while specialised disciplines jointly prepared the tender dossier, evaluated technical bids and supported contractor selection.
During execution, Sweco’s project manager will take the lead, working closely with our electrical engineering, infrastructure and civil engineering experts. Together, they design the foundation slabs, transformer pit and the fire wall that secures the site.
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