Royal Vopak (global independent infrastructure provider) has reached an agreement in principle to acquire a majority equity stake in Green Energy Storage (GES), a Breda-based battery energy storage systems developer, in a deal the Rotterdam-headquartered infrastructure company says marks a strategic entry into the energy transition infrastructure space through large-scale battery storage in the Netherlands.

The announcement was made on 7 May 2026 and remains subject to a Final Investment Decision as well as customary conditions and approvals. Vopak has said it will disclose the investment amount upon closing of the transaction and a positive Final Investment Decision.

A Developer With Full Lifecycle Control

Green Energy Storage manages battery storage projects from initial site identification and permitting through to construction and operational management. The company has established what Vopak describes as a leading position in the Dutch energy market through the development of large-scale storage projects, with its work focused on addressing grid congestion and enabling flexibility in the Dutch electricity system.

GES's role spans the complete project lifecycle, including financing and realization alongside the technical and regulatory stages. This integrated model is central to why Vopak identified the company as a partner for scaling battery infrastructure quickly in the Netherlands.

The Oosterhout Project at the Center of the Deal

The transaction includes Vopak's commitment to support GES's existing project pipeline, with particular emphasis on a landmark utility-scale battery storage project located in Oosterhout.

That project carries a capacity of 200 megawatts and 800 megawatt-hours, making it one of the largest battery storage developments currently in progress in the Netherlands.

The Oosterhout project has been developed by GES and is designed to play a key role in balancing the Dutch electricity grid and mitigating congestion, according to the announcement.

Grid congestion has become a significant challenge for the Netherlands as the country accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels and integrates increasing volumes of renewable energy generation into its network.

Vopak's Strategic Rationale

For Vopak, the acquisition represents what the company characterizes as a logical next step in its broader pivot toward energy transition infrastructure. The company, which has operated storage and infrastructure solutions at ports around the world for more than 400 years, has been investing in gas, industrial, and energy transition infrastructure as part of a stated strategy to support the world's evolving energy needs.

Maarten Smeets, Executive Vice President Global Business Development at Vopak, framed the deal as a combination of complementary strengths.

"Entering the energy transition infrastructure space through battery storage is a logical next step for Vopak. GES brings deep expertise and a strong project pipeline, and together with Vopak's existing pipeline, we are well positioned to accelerate the development of large-scale storage solutions that support a reliable and sustainable energy system," Smeets said.

The reference to Vopak's own existing pipeline suggests the company has been developing battery storage interests independently ahead of this transaction, with the GES deal intended to consolidate and accelerate those efforts rather than represent a standing start in the sector.

GES Leadership on Scaling Ambitions

From GES's perspective, the deal provides access to the financial and infrastructure resources needed to move its project pipeline forward at a pace the company could not achieve independently. Guus Bengsch, CEO of GES, said the partnership would allow the company to scale faster and contribute more effectively to solving grid congestion and supporting the energy transition.

"This partnership enables us to significantly accelerate the realization of our project pipeline," Bengsch said. "We have developed a strong position in the Dutch battery storage market, and with Vopak's infrastructure and financial strength, we can scale faster and contribute more effectively to solving grid congestion and supporting the energy transition."

The emphasis on grid congestion relief from both parties underscores the immediate commercial and systemic need for large-scale storage in the Netherlands.

Battery storage systems of the scale GES is developing are capable of absorbing excess power during periods of high renewable generation and discharging during periods of high demand, reducing stress on transmission infrastructure.

Transaction Terms and Next Steps

The agreement is described as being in principle at this stage, with the transaction still requiring a Final Investment Decision and the satisfaction of customary conditions and approvals before it can be completed.

Vopak has not disclosed the financial terms of the majority stake acquisition and has stated these will be made public only upon closing and a positive Final Investment Decision.

Vopak is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and is headquartered in Rotterdam. GES is headquartered in Breda and operates exclusively in the Netherlands, where it develops, builds, and operates large-scale battery energy storage systems. The company's growing project pipeline is focused on grid balancing and congestion mitigation across the Dutch electricity network.

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