Return’s 100 MW Antares BESS enters operation
Return has brought its 100 MW/200 MWh Antares battery energy storage system (BESS) into commercial operation in Waddinxveen, Netherlands, following connection to TenneT's 150 kV high-voltage network.
The facility entered service ahead of schedule after completing construction, grid connection, commissioning and testing, Return announced October 5.
Developed with technical partners Alfen and SPIE Nederland, Antares provides approximately two hours of nominal storage at full output, excluding losses and operating constraints.
Vattenfall has contracted 50 MW of the facility's capacity under a long-term agreement.
The $95.5 million (€85 million) project received financing from ING, Meewind and Nationaal Groenfonds.
Antares can store electricity when supply is abundant and discharge when demand rises, providing grid-scale flexibility to support wind and solar integration.
Its direct transmission-grid connection enables participation in electricity markets, although local congestion relief depends on operating and network conditions.
Source: Window to Europe
