Vattenfall will construct a large-scale battery storage facility at the Brunsbüttel site. The company announced its final investment decision today. With an output of 254 megawatts (MW) and a capacity of approximately 1,000 megawatt-hours (MWh), the battery ranks among the largest storage projects currently in Germany and is Vattenfall’s largest battery project to date. Battery storage systems are a key component of a fossil-free energy system because they flexibly balance electricity supply and demand.
The project is being developed on the site of the former Brunsbüttel nuclear power plant, which is currently being decommissioned. According to current plans, the battery and a new substation - connecting the battery to the grid operated by 50Hertz - are scheduled to be built and commissioned by the end of 2028.
Commenting on today’s investment decision, Claus Wattendrup, Head of Solar & Batteries at Vattenfall, said: 'This is excellent news for Vattenfall and for Brunsbüttel as an energy hub. As wind and solar power capacity expands, high-performance storage systems like this become increasingly important for enhancing security of supply and replacing fossil fuel imports.'
Demand for battery storage is rising rapidly alongside the expansion of renewable energy. German transmission system operators project that the installed capacity of large-scale battery storage systems will exceed 80 GW by 2040.
The Brunsbüttel battery project represents another significant step in Vattenfall’s flexibility strategy. With the construction of this new battery, Vattenfall will nearly double the capacity of its current battery portfolio, which stands at 270 MW.
At the same time, Vattenfall is expanding its flexibility solutions business and taking on the optimization and marketing of battery storage systems for third parties. The optimized battery portfolio is set to grow to up to 1,500 MW by 2029. Together with the company’s own battery storage systems, these activities make a significant contribution to integrating renewable energy and creating a more flexible, reliable, and affordable energy system.
Brunsbüttel – An Energy Hub with a History
For decades, the Brunsbüttel energy hub has played a defining role in the energy supply of Northern Germany. The Brunsbüttel nuclear power plant came online in 1976 and generated approximately 118 TWh of electricity during its operational life. The plant has been permanently shut down since 2007. Following Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power, planning for decommissioning and dismantling began in 2011. Since then, the site has been undergoing gradual dismantling while simultaneously being developed for new roles within the energy transition. Today, Brunsbüttel exemplifies the transformation of a traditional power plant site: the existing land and high-capacity grid connection provide the ideal conditions for new energy infrastructure, such as Vattenfall’s large-scale battery storage facility.
Facts about the Brunsbüttel battery:
- Rated power: 254 megawatts (MW)
- Capacity: up to 1,000 MWh
- Location: Brunsbüttel nuclear power plant site (currently being dismantled)
- Grid connection: 50Hertz 380 kV grid
- Expected commissioning: End of 2028
Source: Vattenfall
