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.

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.

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 should Spain invest in energy storage?

Investing in energy storage helps Spain meet its climate goals. This includes achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Storing renewable energy instead of wasting it helps the country rely less on fossil fuels. This also cuts down greenhouse gas emissions. Pumped hydro, thermal storage, and battery systems are effective technologies.

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 many GW of hydro capacity does Spain have?

Spain operates 17 GW of hydro capacity plus 3.3 GW of pumped storage. These assets have historically provided: Seasonal energy storage in reservoirs. Asset owners optimise based on the water value, considering power prices months into the future. Pumped Hydro responds to wholesale market price signals.