SolarPower Europe: EU needs ten times more battery storage by 2030 to meet renewables targets

SolarPower Europe believes that the European Union needs ten times more battery storage by 2030 to support the growth of solar and other renewable energy capacities and maintain the pace of the energy transition. To promote battery growth across the EU, SolarPower Europe has launched an initiative called the Battery Storage Europe Platform.

“Battery storage is no longer optional – it is essential. Without urgent action, the EU risks stalling its energy transition,” stated Juhi Dion Sud, the newly appointed Head of the Battery Storage Europe Platform. She added that a tenfold increase in battery storage by 2030 is vital to sustain the rapid growth of solar and other renewables, and to ensure the EU’s energy security, resilience and competitiveness.

Dion Sud: The EU needs to boost BESS capacities from 50 GWh to at least 500 GWh

The EU currently has just over 50 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS), but to stay on track for the 2030 renewables targets, the level must increase to between 500 GWh and 780 GWh, explained Dion Sud.

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, described solar and storage as “the perfect pair,” adding that battery storage must grow at the same pace as solar installations across Europe.

The platform’s founding partners include REIB, Statkraft and Sunotec

The Battery Storage Europe Platform was launched with support from founding strategic partners, including Renewable Energy Insurance Broker (REIB), Statkraft, and Sunotec. Over 50 representatives from leading battery storage companies joined the kick-off day in Brussels.

The platform will represent the interests of the sector at the EU level, facilitating engagement with policymakers and delivering constructive legislative trade and investment frameworks for battery storage manufacturing and deployment, according to a press release from SolarPower Europe.

Participation in the platform is open to members of SolarPower Europe, with strategic partnership opportunities available for organizations interested in taking a leading role in the work of the platform, it added.