Belgian transmission system operator Elia Transmission Belgium has published the results of three capacity remuneration mechanism (CRM) auctions covering the 2027-28, 2028-29 and 2030-31 delivery periods. Capacity supply exceeded demand in all three rounds, with batteries securing a notable share of awards for the latter two periods.

Belgium’s CRM pays market participants to make electricity capacity available and is open to different technologies. The mechanism was introduced amid the country’s partial nuclear phaseout to support security of supply.

For 2027-28, the auctions contracted 6.5 GW at a total cost of about €200 million, with a weighted average price of €30.944/MW/year. No further capacity was awarded in the Y-1 auction. Under the energy minister’s revised scenario, the required volume for that auction fell to zero after accounting for cross-border contributions and capacity available on the electricity market but not participating in the auction.

The Y-2 auction awarded 1.6 GW for 2028-29, taking the total capacity already secured for that period to 5.8 GW. New batteries accounted for around 0.5 GW of the selected capacity. Some projects are expected to start operating ahead of the dates specified in their multiyear contracts, allowing them to contribute capacity earlier.

Four-hour batteries represented 31.74% of selected capacity for 2028-29, compared with 5.98% for two-hour batteries. Combined-cycle gas turbines ranked ahead of four-hour batteries. The auction cost about €34 million, at a weighted average price of €21.643/MW/year.

For 2030-31, the Y-4 auction awarded 0.8 GW. Including previously secured long-term contracts, the total capacity awarded for the period reached 4.9 GW. New batteries made up around 0.5 GW of the selected capacity, under both one-year and multiyear contracts.

No two-hour batteries were selected for 2030-31. Four-hour batteries accounted for 61.75% of awarded capacity, well ahead of other technologies. Supply exceeded demand by 3.1 GW; the auction cost about €14 million, with a weighted average price of €18.143/MW/year.

Sources: pv magazine.