BW ESS and Zelos Advance 1.5 GW Battery Storage Projects in Germany

BW ESS and Zelos Energy Developments are jointly developing a 1.5 GW portfolio of utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in the German states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Sachsen-Anhalt. The projects are set to reach ready-to-build status between 2025 and 2027.

Strategically located in the 50Hertz transmission zone, the collaboration divides responsibilities: Zelos will lead on land acquisition, grid connection, and permitting, while BW ESS oversees engineering, procurement, revenue strategy, and project financing. All developments follow strong ESG standards and involve local community engagement.

Germany, Europe’s largest power market, ranks among the top three countries for BESS investment. The federal government is introducing reforms to support battery storage, including changes to grid fees, permitting, and potential capacity market mechanisms. According to Frontier Economics, utility-scale BESS could add €12 billion in economic value, while the German Solar Association (BSW) expects large-scale battery capacity to grow fivefold within two years.

BW ESS is advised by Bird & Bird (legal) and Arcadis (technical), while Zelos is advised by legal counsel Jochen Terpitz.