Vattenfall optimizes large-scale battery of Return
Vattenfall is expanding its portfolio with the optimization and marketing of external large-scale storage systems. Starting in 2026, Vattenfall will market an operator Return large-scale battery with a capacity of 50 megawatts. The battery will be built in Waddinxveen and managed by Vattenfall's trading floor in Hamburg.
"Flexible storage systems are becoming increasingly important for a stable, fossil-free and efficient energy supply," said Honey Duan, responsible for external battery storage systems at Vattenfall. "Return's large-scale battery offers us a valuable addition to our renewable electricity generation portfolio."
The growth of renewables leads to greater fluctuations in electricity production and prices. In 2024, electricity prices were regularly negative. In the Netherlands, this was the case in 5% of the hours. This increases the demand for stable prices and flexible storage systems.
Return will provide Vattenfall with a 50-megawatt battery with a storage capacity of 100 megawatt hours. The eight-year contract will begin the first half of 2026. The battery will be connected directly to the grid by Return.
In the Netherlands, Vattenfall already operates its own batteries in the Haringvliet and Alexia energy parks. Vattenfall aims to bring up to 1.5 gigawatts of external battery capacity to the market in northwestern Europe in the coming years.
