Energy storage is consolidating its position as a key element in Europe

  • The European battery storage market will grow by 78% in 2026, to 57 GWh.
  • Manufacturers such as Fox ESS, CEGASA and Polestar Energy are driving residential and industrial solutions with financing and expansion.
  • New technical guidelines and policies seek to integrate long-life storage to ensure system reliability.

Energy storage

Energy storage has become a fundamental component of the energy transition, both in Spain and the rest of Europe. Renewable energy generation, especially solar, has grown exponentially in recent years, but its intermittency makes it necessary to store energy for use when it is most needed. The figures and investments taking place in this sector reflect a true silent revolution.

Companies like Fox ESS, CEGASA Energía, and Polestar Energy are driving residential and industrial solutions, while international organizations are publishing guides for contracting long-term energy storage. Storage is no longer just a complement but has become a strategic pillar of the electricity system, with growing support from the European Union and private investors.

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The growth of the European market

According to the latest EUPD Research report, the European battery storage market will reach 57 GWh in 2026, representing a 78% year-on-year increase. The residential segment is also booming, growing from 11 GWh to 15 GWh, a 36% increase. These figures align with the forecasts of the International Energy Agency, which warns that batteries alone will not be sufficient to meet all flexibility needs, especially those of a seasonal nature.

Energy storage in Europe

In 2024, more than 75 GW of battery storage was added globally, and over 70 governments support the goal of reaching 1.500 GW by 2030. Spain is no exception to this trend . Solar photovoltaic generation has tripled between 2020 and 2025, reaching 50.188 GWh annually, 18% of the total. The challenge now is to store this surplus to avoid blackouts like the massive blackout of April 28, 2025, which highlighted the need for backup energy storage systems in Spain .

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Manufacturers and financing drive the sector

In this context, several companies are making moves. Fox ESS has positioned itself as the leading residential energy storage brand in Europe for the first half of 2026, according to EUPD Research. The company, which has also been recognized as number one worldwide by S&P Global, InfoLink, and Frost & Sullivan, has expanded its production capacity with a new factory in Wenzhou and revamped its brand image.

CEGASA Energía, the Basque company with over 90 years of history, has just received up to €6 million in financing from Impact Bridge Asset Management. This capital injection will be used to expand its battery energy storage systems (BESS) business and consolidate its international presence, including its new plant in Júndiz (Vitoria-Gasteiz). The transaction, framed within the impact investing thesis, strengthens the European battery manufacturing value chain.

Another noteworthy initiative is that of Polestar Energy, which has launched a smart self-consumption offering with batteries for homes and businesses, taking advantage of the new Royal Decree 997/2025 that promotes self-consumption and energy communities. The combination of photovoltaic generation with storage allows users to reduce their electricity bills and gain independence from the grid.

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Industrial storage solutions

Contracting and policies for long-term storage

While companies are forging ahead with their solutions, policymakers are also taking action. The Long-Durability Energy Storage Council (LDES Council) has published a technical guide to help developers and utilities design procurement processes that properly value long-duration solutions. The document recommends evaluating technologies based on their contribution to reliability and flexibility, rather than imposing narrow criteria.

The guide comes at a time when the competition is evolving beyond battery hardware toward integrated systems. Fox ESS, for example, offers a complete ecosystem with hybrid inverters, electric vehicle chargers, and the FoxCloud 2.0 smart platform, where the BMS module is key to managing the system. This allows customers to efficiently manage their energy consumption and production.

The energy storage boom isn't limited to residential applications. Large-scale industrial applications are also gaining ground. The company, which recently announced new solutions for photovoltaic installations, will showcase its residential and industrial systems at specialized trade fairs, reflecting the diverse range of options available.

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However, energy storage is emerging as one of the key enablers of the transition. Financing, support policies, and technological innovation are paving the way for renewable energy to become much more reliable. The investment in storage not only responds to a technical need but also to an economic opportunity: Europe wants to lead this market, and companies across the continent are ready to compete.

The combined efforts of manufacturers, investors, and regulators are creating a robust ecosystem around energy storage. With constantly expanding capacity and tools for contracting long-term solutions, the next decade will be crucial for consolidating a decarbonized and resilient energy system in Spain and across Europe.

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