Marija Maisch
Global BESS capacity tops 250 GW, overtaking pumped hydro for first time
Rystad Energy says it expects global battery energy storage system (BESS) additions to exceed 130 GW/350 GWh in 2026, led by China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.
100 MW Hertz 1 battery enters operation after Estonia–Finland grid incident
The 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage project in Kiisa began operation on Feb. 3 as scheduled – just two weeks after a testing fault at the facility caused the most significant disturbance to the regional power grid since Estonia’s desynchronization from the Russian electricity system.
Europe contracts nearly 24 GWh of BESS under flexibility purchase agreements in 2025
With conventional renewable PPA momentum slowing, Europe’s flexibility market soared in 2025, driven by a surge in fixed-offtake agreements and BESS optimization structures. At the same time, co-located storage gained unprecedented traction, signaling a shift toward more integrated and flexible energy solutions.
Testing fault at 100 MW battery disrupts Estonia-Finland power link
During testing at Estonia’s 100 MW Kiisa battery park, both EstLink 1 and EstLink 2 tripped, triggering the most severe disturbance to the regional power grid since desynchronization from the Russian electricity system. As a result, nearly 1 GW of capacity was lost within seconds. The park’s owner has since publicly pointed to the battery manufacturer.
Iberdrola commissions Spain’s largest utility-scale battery systems
Iberdrola has commissioned Spain’s first utility-scale batteries at Alarcón, while Spain’s battery pipeline grows as major utilities develop new projects amid negative electricity prices.
EU installs 27.1 GWh of battery storage in 2025 as utility scale leads
The European Union added 27.1 GWh of battery energy storage capacity in 2025, with utility-scale systems accounting for the majority of new installations as residential storage declined amid lower electricity prices and reduced support schemes, according to a new report from SolarPower Europe.
Spain opens €90 million funding round for 7 GWh of pumped hydro storage
Spain will provide €90 million ($105.3 million) in funding for nearly 1 GW of pumped hydro projects, adding 7 GWh of long-duration energy storage (LDES) by 2035. Each project will be eligible for a maximum €50 million grant and all work must be completed by June 30, 2035.
Spain allocates funding for 9.4 GWh of large-scale storage projects
Spain has awarded more than €818 million ($956.3 million) in European Union funding to 126 energy storage projects totaling 2.2 GW of power and 9.4 GWh of capacity.
India mandates 20% domestic content in battery storage projects
The Indian Ministry of Power has ordered all battery energy storage system (BESS) projects supported under the viability gap funding (VGF) scheme to meet a minimum 20% local content threshold, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing and innovation.
Poland allocates subsidies to 14.5 GWh of energy storage projects
Poland has awarded public support to 172 large-scale battery storage projects totaling 14.5 GWh, with construction required to be completed by the end of 2028.
