SIGNIFICANT ENERGY STORAGE CAPACITY ADDITIONS KEEP COSTS

Energy storage battery capacity measurement
Battery energy storage capacity is the total amount of energy the battery can store, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or megawatt-hours (MWh). Think of this as like the size of a water tank where you measure the water capacity in litres. [pdf]
Spanish grid-side energy storage capacity
In the latest update of the Spanish National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), storage capacity is projected to reach 9.5 GW from pumped hydro and 9.4 GW from batteries, alongside an additional 3.6 GW from solar thermal power plants. [pdf]FAQS about Spanish grid-side energy storage capacity
How will Spain increase its energy storage capacity?
Spain has launched an ambitious €700 million (around $796 million) program to increase its energy storage capacity. This plan will add 2.5 to 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of storage. It includes pumped hydro, thermal energy storage, and battery systems.
What is energy storage in Spain?
It targets large-scale energy storage projects in Spain. It focuses on technologies like standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS), pumped hydro energy storage (PHES), and thermal energy storage. The program supports hybrid projects, which combine storage with renewable energy, such as solar or wind farms.
Why do we need battery energy storage systems in Spain?
Due to the large capacity of installed hydroelectric and thermal storage systems and the resilience of the Spanish power grid, the need for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Spain has been relatively low. The lack of a clear regulatory framework for BESS has also hindered its development in Spain so far.
How much energy storage will Spain have by 2030?
In its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), the Spanish government aims to have 22.5GW of energy storage by 2030 (see table 1). This amount of storage capacity will be needed to integrate the growing capacity of intermittent generation.
How much grid-scale storage will Spain have in 2025?
As of early 2025, Spain has roughly 1 GWh of grid-scale storage under construction, according to industry sources. This new wave of funding could accelerate the build-out, enabling developers, integrators, and OEMs to expand their footprint in one of Europe’s most promising emerging markets.
Why does Spain need a stronger energy grid?
A stronger grid helps homes, businesses, and industries. It gives steady electricity and cuts down on interruptions. In 2023, renewable energy sources made up nearly one-quarter of Spain’s final energy consumption, as seen below.
