Retired nuclear power plant sites across Europe are being transformed into large-scale battery energy storage facilities, as countries seek to strengthen grid flexibility and accelerate the integration of renewable energy sources.
Several European countries are repurposing former nuclear and conventional power plant sites for battery storage projects by utilizing their existing grid infrastructure, reducing investment costs and shortening project development timelines.
Utility company EnBW is developing a battery energy storage facility with an output capacity of 400 megawatts (MW) and a storage capacity of 800 megawatt-hours (MWh) at the site of the former Philippsburg Nuclear Power Plant in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg.
The project, which will be financed without public subsidies, is scheduled to begin construction this year and is expected to be connected to the electricity grid by the end of 2027.
German energy company RWE is also constructing a battery storage project at the site of the former Gundremmingen Nuclear Power Plant in Bavaria.
The facility will have a power capacity of around 400 MW and a storage capacity of 700 MWh, while making use of the site's existing high-voltage grid connection.
Other European countries are also exploring the reuse of retired power plant sites for battery storage.
In Belgium, feasibility studies are underway for battery storage projects at retired nuclear power plant sites.
In the UK, former coal-fired and thermal power plant locations are increasingly being considered for large-scale energy storage projects because of their existing grid connections. Spain and Italy are also evaluating former power plant sites as part of their battery storage expansion plans.
In Belgium, developers are assessing battery storage investments that would utilize the high-voltage transmission infrastructure at nuclear power plant sites scheduled for closure.
The UK is prioritizing former coal and thermal power stations for battery projects due to their direct access to the national electricity transmission network.
Spain, where solar power generation has expanded rapidly in recent years, is accelerating investments in battery storage systems integrated with renewable energy facilities, while some retired thermal power plant sites are also being prepared for redevelopment.
In Italy, the transmission system operator and private sector companies are implementing battery storage projects at former power plant sites, particularly in the country's southern regions, to improve grid flexibility.
- Battery storage strengthens energy security
Doga Can Bayram, chairman of the Energy Storage Industries Association (EDEDER) in Türkiye, told Anadolu that battery energy storage systems enable excess electricity generated by solar and wind power plants during the day to be stored and supplied back to the grid during periods of high demand in the evening, increasing the flexibility of electricity networks.
Bayram noted that the increasing frequency of negative electricity prices across Europe in recent years has also improved the economic attractiveness of battery storage investments.
"Battery storage facilities play a critical role in grid balancing, frequency control and energy supply security," he said.
He also explained that one of the defining features of Europe's next phase of energy transition will not only be expanding renewable energy capacity but also rapidly deploying large-scale storage systems capable of storing that electricity.
"In this context, the trend of converting former coal-fired and nuclear power plant sites into battery storage hubs is expected to become more widespread across many European countries, particularly Germany, in the coming years," Bayram stated.
He added that transforming these sites into modern energy facilities would contribute to the development of the battery ecosystem while allowing existing infrastructure to be reused.
"Reusing existing infrastructure both reduces investment costs and significantly shortens the time required to bring new projects online," he concluded.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
