.png)
Show Notes
Big batteries are taking off in Europe and are set to become a major contributor to the energy transition worldwide.
In Europe, deployment has now reached a critical inflection point. Annual utility-scale BESS installations doubled between 2024 and 2025, while cumulative capacity surpassed 100 GW for the first time over the same period.
These insights come from new analysis by Wood Mackenzie, led by EMEA principal analyst for energy storage Anna Darmani. Anna joined The Smarter E podcast to reflect on recent developments – and what’s next for utility-scale BESS deployment heading into 2026.
Join host Jonathan Gifford for an overview of the key utility-scale battery trends and their impact on Europe’s energy markets.
Follow The smarter E Podcast for more global insights into the clean energy transition, and don’t forget to rate and review if you enjoy the show!
More from The smarter E Podcast
Germany helped pioneer the political frameworks that made solar a global success. But with daytime electricity prices falling, solar companies under pressure, and significant policy reforms taking shape, could the impressive solar and battery installation rates of recent years slow dramatically?
Europe has some of the world’s best solar researchers and strongest local markets. So why is so much of the PV manufacturing happening somewhere else?
Germany’s utility-scale battery deployment is hitting an inflection point.
The Dunkelflaute has become one of the most persistent arguments against a fully renewable energy system. When the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing, where is our energy supposed to come from?
Despite claims that the energy transition is losing momentum, solar and battery deployment continues to run ahead of forecasts – profoundly impacting electricity markets and the wider global energy system.