The report reveals the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy storage market, with lockdown affecting commercial and industrial, and behind-the-meter segments, while front-of-meter projects proved more resilient. Looking ahead, 2021 looks particularly strong for the sector with new ancillary services opening across Europe and national targets further supporting regional projects.
April 2021 / Policy Papers
EASE Position Paper on the Batteries Regulation Proposal
On 10 December 2020 the Commission proposed a new Batteries Regulation aimed at ensuring that batteries placed in the EU market are sustainable and safe throughout their entire life cycle. The Regulation aims to minimise batteries' harmful effects on the environment. The rules cover their full life cycle; from design & production to reuse & recycling.
In line with the Green Deal and other sustainability-related policies, this initiative would update EU rules to ensure:
All batteries are produced sustainably (i.e. with low resource consumption and little waste generated) and can be easily recycled;
Any batteries used in the growing market for electric vehicles are sustainable;
EASE welcomes the proposal for the new Batteries Regulation: although several criticalities are present, it is a step forward to tackle several of the barriers that currently hinder the battery market. Importantly, it considers the “stationary battery energy storage system” for the first time.
The report reveals the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy storage market, with lockdown affecting commercial and industrial, and behind-the-meter segments, while front-of-meter projects proved more resilient. Looking ahead, 2021 looks particularly strong for the sector with new ancillary services opening across Europe and national targets further supporting regional projects.
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In 2025, Europe surpassed 100 GW of installed storage capacity for the first time, and by Q2 2026 storage overtook nuclear as a source of installed power capacity. With electrochemical storage forecast to grow by a further 153 GW by 2030, energy storage is becoming a core pillar of Europe's future electricity system.
In 2025, Europe surpassed 100 GW of installed storage capacity for the first time, and by Q2 2026 storage overtook nuclear as a source of installed power capacity. With electrochemical storage forecast to grow by a further 153 GW by 2030, energy storage is becoming a core pillar of Europe's future electricity system.
Thermal Energy Storage can help European industry decarbonise, reduce costs, and access new revenue streams. Yet significant regulatory, economic, and financial barriers continue to limit its deployment.
Energy Storage Europe welcomes the proposal for an Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) and supports its overall objective of strengthening industrial capacity, accelerating decarbonisation, and creating stronger lead markets for strategic clean technologies in the European Union.
