Batteries and renewables: Europe distances itself from Donald Trump
While the United States is once again questioning its commitment to the energy transition, Europe is moving in just the opposite direction
The numbers don't leave much room for interpretation. In an increasingly polarized international climate context, the European Union closed 2025 with a new all-time high in battery energy storage.
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According to SolarPower Europe's EU Battery Storage Market Review 2025, the continent added 27.1 GWh of new capacity, representing a 45% increase over the previous year.
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This figure not only confirms the sector's strong performance but also reinforces a trend that you have become structural. It marks the twelfth consecutive year of growth in battery storage in Europe, a trend that has accelerated significantly since 2021.
In just four years, annual installed capacity has increased tenfold, from 7.8 GWh to current figures.
By the end of 2025, the total available volume in the European Union reached approximately 77.3 GWh.
The big leap comes from the grid
One of the most significant changes of the last year is not only about how much the market is growing, but how it is growing. For the first time, large-scale battery installations have become the main driver of growth. In 2025, projects directly connected to the grid accounted for 55% of all new installed capacity.
This marks a turning point for the European sector. For years, growth had been closely linked to small-scale domestic or commercial solutions, especially those associated with solar installations.
Now, large-scale energy storage systems are beginning to gain traction in terms of volume, providing stability to the grid and facilitating the massive integration of renewable energies.The strategic message is clear: Europe not only wants more clean energy, but also the capacity to manage it efficiently in an increasingly electrified system dependent on intermittent sources such as solar and wind power. The 2030 challenge remains distant. Despite the positive tone of the headlines, the industry itself is issuing a message of caution. Current growth, although record-breaking, is not enough to meet the climate and energy flexibility targets set for 2030. According to the report, the European Union would need to increase its cumulative capacity tenfold again, reaching around 750 GWh in just four years. The challenge is enormous. In the last five years, energy storage has gone from almost negligible figures to nearly 80 GWh, but repeating that leap in such a short time requires a much greater effort. Not only in technological implementation, but also in regulation, network planning, and clear economic signals that give investors confidence.
The unexpected slowdown in homes
Another point that introduces nuances to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. “Behind-the-meter” batteries, such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, fell by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh.
The main reason is not technological, but economic.
The drop in electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the appeal of these solutions for many households. The result is a market more dependent on large projects and less driven by individual self-consumption. Battery manufacturing: the unfinished business. The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh, a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that more than 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles and not stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components.
The strategic reading is clear: Europe not only wants more clean energy, but also the capacity to manage it efficiently in an increasingly electrified system dependent on intermittent sources like solar and wind power.
The 2030 challenge is still far off
Despite the positive tone of the headlines, the industry itself is issuing a message of caution. Current growth, although record-breaking, is not enough to meet the climate and energy flexibility targets set for 2030.
According to the report, the European Union would need to increase its cumulative capacity tenfold again and reach around 750 GWh in just four years.
The challenge is enormous. In the last five years, storage has gone from almost negligible figures to nearly 80 GWh, but repeating that leap in such a short time requires a much greater effort. Not only in technological implementation, but also in regulation, network planning, and clear economic signals that give investors confidence.
The unexpected slowdown in homes
Another point that introduces nuances to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. “Behind-the-meter” batteries, such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, fell by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh.
The main cause is not technological, but economic. The drop in electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the attractiveness of these solutions for many households.
The result is a market more dependent on large projects and less driven by individual self-consumption.
Battery manufacturing, the unfinished business
The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh, a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that over 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles rather than stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially for key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components.
The strategic reading is clear: Europe not only wants more clean energy, but also the capacity to manage it efficiently in an increasingly electrified system dependent on intermittent sources like solar and wind power.
The 2030 challenge is still far off
Despite the positive tone of the headlines, the industry itself is issuing a message of caution. Current growth, although record-breaking, is not enough to meet the climate and energy flexibility targets set for 2030.
According to the report, the European Union would need to increase its cumulative capacity tenfold again and reach around 750 GWh in just four years.
The challenge is enormous. In the last five years, storage has gone from almost negligible figures to nearly 80 GWh, but repeating that leap in such a short time requires a much greater effort. Not only in technological implementation, but also in regulation, network planning, and clear economic signals that give investors confidence.
The unexpected slowdown in homes
Another point that introduces nuances to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. “Behind-the-meter” batteries,such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, fell by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh.
The main cause is not technological, but economic. The drop in electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the attractiveness of these solutions for many households.
The result is a market more dependent on large projects and less driven by individual self-consumption.
Battery manufacturing, the unfinished business
The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh, a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that over 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles rather than stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially for key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in deployment but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components. The industry itself is issuing a message of caution. Current growth, although record-breaking, is not enough to meet the climate and energy flexibility targets set for 2030. According to the report, the European Union would need to increase its cumulative capacity tenfold again, reaching around 750 GWh in just four years. The challenge is enormous. In the last five years, storage has gone from almost negligible figures to nearly 80 GWh, but repeating that leap in such a short time requires a much greater effort. Not only in technological implementation, but also in regulation, network planning, and clear economic signals that give investors confidence. Another point that introduces nuance to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. "Behind-the-meter" batteries, such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, declined by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh. The main reason is not technological, but economic. Lower electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the appeal of these solutions for many households. The result is a market more dependent on large-scale projects and less driven by individual self-consumption. Battery manufacturing: the unfinished business. The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh, a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that over 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles rather than stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially for key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry,Europe risks making progress in deployment but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components. The industry itself is issuing a message of caution. Current growth, although record-breaking, is not enough to meet the climate and energy flexibility targets set for 2030. According to the report, the European Union would need to increase its cumulative capacity tenfold again, reaching around 750 GWh in just four years. The challenge is enormous. In the last five years, storage has gone from almost negligible figures to nearly 80 GWh, but repeating that leap in such a short time requires a much greater effort. Not only in technological implementation, but also in regulation, network planning, and clear economic signals that give investors confidence. Another point that introduces nuance to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. "Behind-the-meter" batteries, such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, declined by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh. The main reason is not technological, but economic. Lower electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the appeal of these solutions for many households. The result is a market more dependent on large-scale projects and less driven by individual self-consumption. Battery manufacturing: the unfinished business. The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh, a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that over 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles rather than stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially for key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components. Network planning and clear economic signals that give investors confidence.
The unexpected slowdown in homes
Another point that introduces nuances to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. “Behind-the-meter” batteries, such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, fell by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh.
The main cause is not technological, but economic. The drop in electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the attractiveness of these solutions for many households.
The result is a market more dependent on large projects and less driven by individual self-consumption.
Battery manufacturing, the unfinished business
The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh,a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that over 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles rather than stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially for key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components. Network planning and clear economic signals that give investors confidence.
The unexpected slowdown in homes
Another point that introduces nuances to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. “Behind-the-meter” batteries, such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, fell by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh.
The main cause is not technological, but economic. The drop in electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the attractiveness of these solutions for many households.
The result is a market more dependent on large projects and less driven by individual self-consumption.
Battery manufacturing, the unfinished business
The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh, a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that over 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles rather than stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially for key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in deployment but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components.
The unexpected slowdown in homes
Another point that introduces nuances to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. “Behind-the-meter” batteries, such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, fell by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh.
The main cause is not technological, but economic. The drop in electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the attractiveness of these solutions for many households.
The result is a market more dependent on large projects and less driven by individual self-consumption.
Battery manufacturing, the unfinished business
The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh, a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that over 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles rather than stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially for key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in deployment but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components.
The unexpected slowdown in homes
Another point that introduces nuances to the analysis is the behavior of the residential segment. “Behind-the-meter” batteries, such as those installed in homes alongside solar panels, fell by 6% in 2025, settling at around 9.8 GWh.
The main cause is not technological, but economic. The drop in electricity prices and the gradual withdrawal of some public support schemes have reduced the attractiveness of these solutions for many households.
The result is a market more dependent on large projects and less driven by individual self-consumption.
Battery manufacturing, the unfinished business
The report also focuses on the European battery industry. In 2025, the nominal cell production capacity in the EU reached 252 GWh, a figure that reflects significant industrial development. However, there are two major concerns: project delays and cancellations, and the fact that over 90% of that capacity is geared towards electric vehicles rather than stationary storage. Added to this are gaps in the supply chain, especially for key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in deployment but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components.Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in deployment but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components.Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in implementation but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components, especially in key materials such as cathodes and anodes. Without a more integrated industry, Europe risks making progress in deployment but remaining dependent on external sources for critical components.