Photo: NGEN
NGEN Austria has launched works on an 85 MW / 170 MWh battery energy storage system in Wagenham. It is set to become the biggest in the country and one of the biggest in Europe. Positioned near the German border, the project aims to stabilize the grid in Upper Austria by balancing fluctuations from wind and solar power.
A groundbreaking ceremony has signaled the start of construction of a landmark system for the energy transition in Austria and beyond. In Wagenham, NGEN Austria is building one of Europe’s largest grid-scale energy storage facilities, with of 85 MW in operating power and a capacity of 170 MWh. The BESS in Upper Austria is scheduled to go online this year.
“We have been developing this project with deep commitment since 2023. Following our successful implementations in Arnoldstein, Carinthia, and Fürstenfeld, Styria, the Wagenham groundbreaking marks the realization of another high-impact project for Austria,” Country Manager Andreas Ljuba stated at the event.
BESS strategically located near interconnection with Germany
The pioneering technological endeavor was designed to secure long-term grid stability as the share of intermittent renewable energy continues to rise, according to the Slovenia-based company.
Paravan: Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a clean, decentralized, and resilient energy system through intelligent technology
It is Austria’s largest system-critical energy storage facility, said NGEN Group’s Chief Commercial Officer Matija Dolinar. The location is near the interconnection point with neighboring Germany. “Upper Austria lies at the heart of Europe. It is exactly here that we need high-performance storage solutions to drive the energy transition forward efficiently,” Dolinar added.
NGEN Group’s Co-Chief Executive Officer Dejan Paravan highlighted the strategic vision behind the investment. “Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a clean, decentralized, and resilient energy system through intelligent technology. The Wagenham project is a powerful tangible proof of that mission in action,” in his words.
Strong signal for regional innovation
For the local community, the project represents a significant leap toward the future, the company added. Mayor of Pischelsdorf am Engelbach, Gerhard Höflmaier, described it as a strong signal for regional innovation. “The decision to locate such a vital energy asset in Wagenham proves that our region is an attractive hub for future technologies. At the same time, we are making a concrete contribution to the global energy shift,” he said.
The facility will take on a central role in the region’s energy landscape. The focus is on supporting the integration of renewables into the grid. Through energy storage and flexible delivery, the BESS would help balance fluctuations from sources such as wind and solar. At the same time, its role is to contribute to grid stability and security of supply.
Klaus Mühlbacher, member of the provincial parliament – Landtag of Upper Austria, and spokesperson for climate and environment, stressed that the energy transition relies on three pillars: renewable energy generation, high-capacity grids, and storage.
“This battery power plant is a forward-thinking infrastructure project. Grid-supportive storage like this is essential for utilizing renewable energy efficiently and strengthening our security of supply. Upper Austria is once again proving its leadership in modern energy technology,” Mühlbacher asserted.
NGEN Group is in the technology sponsors roster of the upcoming Belgrade Energy Forum, BEF 2026, in Serbia’s capital city. Balkan Green Energy News organizes the two-day event, which is starting on May 11.
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