With the stored energy, Montea reduces the ecological footprint of its sites and increases its independence from the electricity grid.
"Our logistics centers are already top in terms of sustainability. By installing battery parks, we can supply more energy to our customers and help stabilize the grid. This investment therefore fits perfectly into Montea's strategy to support future-oriented and climate-friendly business," says Dirk Van Buggenhout, Montea's Chief Sustainability Officer.
Montea is investing 17.5 million euros in the installation of battery parks on 14 of its Belgian sites. An additional investment of 12.5 million in the Netherlands will be added later. The stored energy will be used for lighting, heating and cooling the logistics centers. In addition, electric vehicles will also be able to be powered.
Developing sustainable, future-proof and multi-purpose logistics centers has been Montea's mission for many years. By the end of the year, Montea will have a total capacity of 87 MWp of solar panels on its roofs. At 14 Belgian locations, about half of the portfolio in Belgium, its own energy storage system will be in place by the end of this year. This accounts for a storage capacity of 35 MWh in total.
In the Netherlands, Montea is investigating the implementation of batteries at a further seven locations. Good for an estimated investment of another 12.5 million euros.
"Electric driving is booming in passenger transport, and in a few years the same will happen with e-vans and trucks. Logistics centers that are prepared for this - in a sustainable and affordable way - will then have an edge." - Dirk Van Buggenhout, Chief Sustainability Officer of Montea
The installation of these battery parks will also partly solve grid congestion. In its Adequacy and flexibility study for Belgium (2024-2034). that flexibility, created in part by battery farms, will be the core strategy for the coming years.
On this €30 million investment, Montea expects to earn a return of 12%.