Europe is on the verge of a major energy storage milestone, with total capacity set to hit 100 gigawatts (GW) this year, according to a new market report. This achievement paves the way for substantial future expansion, with projections indicating that capacity will more than double to 215 GW by 2030. This rapid growth, primarily driven by the deployment of battery storage systems, is positioning energy storage as a critical component of the continent’s transition to renewable energy sources.
A report from LCP Delta and Energy Storage Europe, titled the “European Market Monitor on Energy Storage,” forecasts that the continent’s combined capacity will surge by 115% by the end of the decade. As of November 1, the cumulative figure stood at 99.3 GW. The analysis projects a steady expansion rate of between 20 GW and 25 GW annually, underscoring the technology’s accelerating adoption across the region.
Battery storage is at the forefront of this expansion, outpacing the growth of traditional technologies like pumped storage hydropower. This year alone has seen the addition of 4 GW of new utility-scale battery installations. Looking ahead, battery storage capacity is expected to climb to an impressive 163 GW by 2030. Of the current 44.8 GW of total battery capacity, large-scale grid-connected systems account for 17 GW, while systems installed on the customer side, such as in homes and businesses, make up the remaining 27.8 GW.
The residential sector plays a significant role, with 18 million European homes now equipped with a solar system and four million also having battery storage. While sales of home batteries are currently stabilizing after a peak in 2022-2023, the market is expected to rebound from 2027. This recovery will be supported by a resurgent solar panel market, increasing electrification of homes and transport, the introduction of dynamic tariffs, and new financing models.
Germany leads the continent in residential battery adoption with 2.1 million systems, followed by Italy with 780,000. Other key markets include the United Kingdom (280,000), Austria (200,000), and Belgium (160,000). Jacopo Tosoni, Head of Policy at Energy Storage Europe, described energy storage as Europe’s fastest-growing clean technology, highlighting its potential to drive the continent’s economic competitiveness. Silvestros Vlachopoulos of LCP Delta added that reaching the 100 GW mark is a pivotal moment that will enable even faster growth for renewable energy in the coming years.