Highest investments in battery storage

04.05.2026

Source: E & M powernews

Investments in battery storage systems in Germany reached a new high in the first quarter of 2026, according to the German Solar Industry Association BSW-Solar.

More than two gigawatt hours (GWh) of new storage capacity was put into operation between January and March, according to a statement on Sunday. The expansion of stationary battery storage systems was therefore around 67 percent higher than in the same period last year.

BSW-Solar refers to its own analysis of data from the Federal Network Agency.

According to this, the battery storage stock in Germany has grown to a total of 28 million kWh, spread across 2.5 million systems.

This storage capacity is calculated to be sufficient to store the average daily electricity consumption of three million private households in Germany. "Battery storage systems can significantly reduce the need for expensive reserve gas-fired power plants," explained Carsten Körnig, Managing Director of BSW-Solar. The amount of stationary battery storage already installed is equivalent to the daily electricity production of more than two of the new reserve gas-fired power plants planned by the German government. These are intended to balance out weather-related fluctuations in the production of solar and wind power.

BSW: Disadvantage compared to gas-fired power plants looms

Körnig warned against plans by Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) that would favor fossil gas-fired power plants to the detriment of battery storage systems. "Battery storage systems must not be disadvantaged compared to gas-fired power plants in the upcoming power plant auctions due to unsuitable tendering criteria," demanded the BSW Solar Managing Director. "Instead, storage systems should be specifically strengthened."

Körnig referred to the Federal Ministry of Economics' draft bill for an Electricity Supply Security and Capacity Act. "Battery storage systems are a key building block for a cost-efficient, resilient and climate-neutral energy system," he emphasized. "Compared to natural gas power plants, they are quicker to build, cause no direct CO2 emissions and reduce system costs by efficiently integrating renewable energies and reducing grid bottlenecks."

BSW-Solar also called for further market barriers to be removed. These include simplifications for storage systems that are installed at solar or wind power plant sites, accelerated grid connection procedures and grid fee regulations that do not make battery storage operation more expensive. In the event of grid bottlenecks and negative electricity prices, solar systems should no longer be curtailed, but should be allowed to store electricity in local batteries, the association demanded.

On May 2, BSW-Solar announced that the expansion of solar energy in Germany had slowed significantly in the first quarter of 2026.

Author: Christine Büttner