OBC

Project Overview

The OBC Battery Project is a utility-scale energy storage development located at the Ostend Basic Chemicals (OBC) site in Ostend, Belgium. Led by Centrica Business Solutions, the project was Centrica’s first battery storage asset outside the UK and a key step in expanding its flexible energy portfolio internationally.

The project has a capacity of approximately 24 MW with around 48–54 MWh of storage, enabling it to store excess electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar and release it back into the grid when demand is higher.

By providing fast-response flexibility, the battery plays a critical role in balancing the electricity system, helping to manage fluctuations in renewable energy generation and maintain grid stability.

Why is battery storage important?

Battery storage turns renewable energy into a dependable, flexible power source, which is critical for reaching net zero.

Battery storage is essential to making renewable energy work reliably.

1. Balances supply and demand - Renewable energy like wind and solar isn’t constant. Batteries store electricity when it’s abundant and release it when it’s needed.

2. Reduces wasted renewable energy - Without storage, excess power can be curtailed. Batteries help capture that energy and use it later, improving efficiency.

3. Supports a stable grid - They respond almost instantly to changes in supply and demand, helping keep the electricity system stable.

4. Improves energy security - By providing backup power and flexibility, batteries reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help avoid supply disruptions.

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