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.
Not a member yet ?
Explore the benefits of joining Energy Storage Europe
Energy Storage Europe has prepared a reply to the European Commission's public consultation on TYNDP 2026 Identification of System Needs Methodology. The European Commission’s public consultation seeks feedback on the analytical framework used by ENTSO-E to identify cost-efficient and technically robust opportunities for the development of Europe’s electricity system, without prescribing specific investment decisions.
In 2025, the energy storage sector experienced significant growth, driven by strong market expansion and evolving EU policy developments. Europe reached the milestone of 100 GW of installed capacity, highlighting the increasing importance of storage in the energy transition.
Energy Storage Europe replies to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Battery Booster Facility. On 16 December 2025, the European Commission announced a Battery Booster Strategy, within the Automotive Action Plan. The Strategy includes a Facility of EUR 1.5 billion in the form of loans for projects in the production of battery cells in Europe.
Energy Storage Europe's position paper, "Ensuring System Stability in Europe: The Role of Energy Storage in Providing Inertia", focuses on how the EU can implement a cost-effective and technologically neutral approach to procuring inertia. It also outlines how such an approach can be firmly embedded within a harmonised European methodology for assessing and monitoring inertia needs across synchronous areas.
