Energy company Engie wants to invest 4bn euros in Belgium by 2030

Energy group Engie is poised to invest up to 4 billion euros in Belgium. The company plans to triple renewable energy capacity and put more focus on flexibility, battery farms and low-carbon gases such as hydrogen. 

Vincent Verbeke, CEO of Engie Belgium, wants to help accelerate the country's energy transition. He presented Engie’s new strategy for the coming years on Thursday. The group wants to generate more electricity with renewable energy, aims to invest in flexible capacity and wants to take the lead in the transition to green hydrogen energy.

More specifically, Engie wants to grow its on- and offshore wind turbine capacity, triple its solar panel capacity and lead the way in blue - decarbonised - and green hydrogen and biogas Belgium. It is already working with the Norwegian state-owned energy company Equinor on a large hydrogen plant in Ghent. 

Renewable energy is not always available, so alternatives must be ready to make up for that shortfall. Engie will therefore invest in a new gas power plant in Flémalle near Liège and in battery parks in Vilvoorde, Drogenbos and Kallo, among others. It is also looking at ways to expand the capacity of the hydroelectric plant in Coo.

The group will furthermore implement the nuclear deal it concluded with the Belgian government: two reactors will be prepared to remain operational for an additional 10 years. The other reactors will close permanently in 2025.

In total, the investments add up to 4 billion euros by 2030. That includes the cost of extending the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear power plants by 10 years.

^{Engie Electrabel power plant in Drogenbos © BELGA PHOTO THIERRY ROGE}