February 25, 2026 3 min. News

Royal Vopak accelerates in energy storage: infrastructure for tomorrow's energy system

Every month, Energy Storage NL introduces a new member to its supporters. This month we meet Royal Vopak, a global tank storage company that continues to expand its activities towards energy storage and new energy carriers. In this interview, Vopak shares its vision on the role of storage within the energy transition, the developments in the Netherlands and Europe, and its motivation to join Energy Storage NL.

Can you briefly explain what Royal Vopak does and how energy transition plays a role within your current strategy?

Royal Vopak is a global tank storage company with terminals for gases, chemicals and oil products. Traditionally, Vopak has facilitated logistics chains for energy and chemicals.

In the current strategy, energy transition plays an increasingly important role. Until 2030, Vopak is investing €1 billion in infrastructure for new energy flows. Plants at existing locations are being adapted to store biofuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), for example. Work is also underway on infrastructure for ammonia as a hydrogen carrier, CO₂ storage as part of carbon capture and battery storage (BESS) to support the electricity grid.

What role does energy storage play in implementing your strategy on energy transition?

With battery storage, Vopak is expanding its business from molecule storage to electricity storage. Where the company traditionally stores liquids and gases, BESS enables it to also play a role in the electricity system. In doing so, BESS acts as a buffer for variable renewable energy generation.

Battery storage should be seen as part of the solution to grid congestion and system flexibility.

What concrete storage projects is Vopak currently developing or supporting and what are your project expectations for the future?

Vopak currently has an operational 15 MW battery project in the United States, in the ERCOT region.

In addition, two large-scale battery projects are being developed in the Netherlands and two in Belgium. The ambition is that the portfolio will continue to grow in the coming years, both in the Benelux and beyond, depending on market conditions and regulations.

Do you focus only on (li-ion) battery storage or also other forms of energy storage (e.g., heat and molecule storage, but also other LDES forms such as flow batteries)?

Vopak is looking broader than just lithium-ion batteries. The company sees molecules and heat as important forms of long-term storage. Ammonia is a logical choice here as a hydrogen carrier because it is suitable for large-scale transport and storage.

It has also invested in other long-term energy storage technologies, such as hydrogen-bromine flow batteries (with Elestor) and CO₂ batteries (with Energy Dome). Over the past two years, however, the focus has shifted heavily to BESS and, to a lesser extent, e-boilers.

How does Vopak position itself within the Dutch and European storage market compared to other players?

Vopak develops, builds and retains ownership of its projects. Commercial operation is done in cooperation with market participants. In this sense, the strategy is similar to that of other market players.

The key differentiator lies in Vopak's strong balance sheet position and proven track record of timely completion of complex, large-scale projects worldwide.

What challenges does Vopak currently face in the development and realization of storage projects in the Netherlands? And on which of these challenges does Vopak think cooperation within Energy Storage NL can help?

The main challenges are permitting procedures, grid connections, regulations and current market design.

Cooperation within Energy Storage NL can help to jointly highlight bottlenecks and share knowledge and experiences.

What was the main reason for Vopak to become a member of Energy Storage NL? What does Vopak expect from membership and what do you hope to bring to the network yourself?

Vopak became a member of Energy Storage NL with two clear and strategic goals: to gain access to the most up-to-date market and policy information and to actively contribute to the shaping of policy and regulation on BESS in the Netherlands.

Vopak wants not just to be a spectator, but to help guide the development of the BESS landscape. The company is willing to actively participate in relevant initiatives that support the further rollout of BESS in the Netherlands.

Finally, what does Vopak believe is needed to realize energy storage in the Netherlands faster and on a larger scale?

Speeding up permitting procedures and grid connections is important, as are clear and predictable regulations.

In addition, it is important that battery storage be seen as part of the solution to grid congestion and system flexibility. Broad recognition of that role can help get projects off the ground faster.

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