Elia Transmission Belgium has published the results of three Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) auctions covering delivery periods 2027-2028, 2028-2029 and 2030-2031, in reports released on 29 October 2026. The headline: batteries are winning an increasing share of contracted capacity, and the share rises the further out the delivery period sits.

Y-2 auction, 2028-2029: 590.61 MW of batteries

In the Y-2 auction for 2028-2029, Elia awarded 1,565.66 MW of capacity. Large-scale batteries secured 590.61 MW, or 37.72% of the total, comprising 464.66 MW of new-build capacity and 125.95 MW of existing battery capacity. Combined-cycle gas turbines received 754.20 MW, or 48.17%.

The auction cost approximately €34 million, at a weighted average price of €21,643/MW/year. Including capacity previously contracted for the same delivery period, Belgium has secured approximately 5.8 GW for 2028-2029.

Y-4 auction, 2030-2031: batteries take 62.72%

In the Y-4 auction for 2030-2031, Elia awarded 769.28 MW. Large-scale batteries accounted for 482.52 MW, or 62.72% of the selected volume, and all awarded battery capacity was classified as Additional — New Build. Submitted capacity exceeded the required volume by approximately 3.1 GW, indicating strong competition.

That auction cost approximately €14 million, with a weighted average price of €18,143/MW/year. Including contracts awarded in earlier auctions for the same delivery period, Belgium has secured approximately 4.9 GW of capacity for 2030-2031.

Who won

Successful battery participants in the Y-2 auction included GIGA Green Turtle BV, Luminus, Electrabel, Aspiravi, Bnewable and Ruien Energy Storage. GIGA Green Turtle BV secured 239.70 MW through five selected bids for one battery capacity market unit and 66.30 MW through another unit, both classified as new four-hour storage installations. Luminus received 32.19 MW and Electrabel received two allocations of 18.51 MW each.

In the Y-4 auction, battery contracts went to companies including GIGA Green Turtle BV (220.90 MW across five bids), MVA-Project Co. 4 (94 MW), Eneco Wind Belgium (85.54 MW), ECLIPSE SAS (35 MW), Electrabel, Aspiravi and Renner Energies Belgium.

No awards in Y-1; 2027-2028 already covered

The Y-1 auction for 2027-2028 resulted in no additional capacity awards. Elia said the capacity requirement was reduced to zero after adjustments to the electricity adequacy scenario, including cross-border contributions and capacity available outside the CRM. Belgium already has approximately 6.5 GW of cumulative contracted capacity for 2027-2028, at a cumulative cost of approximately €200 million and a weighted average price of €30,944/MW/year.

A note on the headline figure

The combined 947.18 MW of battery capacity awarded in the 2028-2029 and 2030-2031 auctions represents contracts across two different delivery periods, not confirmation of an equivalent amount of separate physical installations, because the same projects may participate in more than one auction.

The CRM itself is designed to ensure sufficient resources are available to meet demand. Unlike the wholesale market, which remunerates electricity delivered, the CRM pays for the availability of contracted capacity and allows conventional generation, battery storage and demand-side resources to compete on equal terms.

Source: review-energy.com

This article was assisted by AI analysis. Please refer to the original source for official information.