Key facts
- Europe's installed battery storage capacity is projected to quadruple to 171 GW by 2030.
- Europe's battery storage capacity is expected to increase eightfold to 598 GWh by 2030.
- Chinese solar firms are increasing battery exports due to slowing photovoltaic sales growth.
- Battery exports from China are forecast to jump 30% to 150 GWh in 2026.
- CATL has launched the world's largest open-source energy storage testing platform.
- CATL has started mass production of sodium-ion batteries.
- Forus Oy is implementing a 15 MW battery storage project in Finland using Elisa Industriq's Gridle platform.
- Malaysia's Mikro MSC Berhad partnered with Hong Kong Cospower Technology Co Ltd for battery storage projects.
- Household adoption of solar and battery storage systems remains strong despite rebate changes.
Global battery storage capacity is poised for substantial growth, with Europe alone expecting its installed capacity to quadruple to 171 GW by 2030, alongside an eightfold increase in storage capacity to 598 GWh. This expansion is a direct response to the increasing integration of variable solar and wind power generation, which necessitates robust grid stabilization solutions. Chinese solar panel manufacturers are increasingly focusing on battery exports as a revenue stream amid a slowdown in photovoltaic sales growth. Companies such as JinkoSolar and JA Solar are actively expanding their battery storage operations to address renewable energy intermittency and capitalize on market expansion. Battery exports from China are forecast to surge by 30% to 150 GWh by 2026.
Technological advancements are also accelerating the sector's development. CATL has unveiled the world's largest open-source energy storage testing platform and commenced mass production of sodium-ion batteries, while also reporting progress in lithium-air battery technology. These developments underscore a broader industry trend towards diversifying battery chemistries and enhancing testing capabilities.
Specific projects are underway globally to bolster grid resilience. In Finland, Forus Oy has selected Elisa Industriq's Gridle platform to manage and optimize 15 MW of battery energy storage across two sites, aiming to improve grid balancing and flexibility. Malaysia, through Mikro MSC Berhad, has entered a two-year exclusive partnership with Hong Kong Cospower Technology Co Ltd (HKCT) to develop large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), intending to strengthen the national grid for greater renewable energy adoption.
Despite shifts in government incentives, such as changes to the 'Cheaper Home Batteries' rebate scheme, household adoption of solar and battery storage systems remains robust. This sustained consumer interest indicates a continued commitment to renewable energy solutions at the residential level, even with moderated growth rates.