Expected ROI of portable ESS system project in Spain 2026

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.

What is Spain's regulatory framework for energy storage?

Spain’s regulatory framework for BESS is set in its Strategy for Energy Storage. The Strategy identifies the required regulatory measures – such as grid access, market structure, and addressing double tolling – that are currently needed to ensure the deployment of a solid energy storage market.

Does Spain need a Bess energy system?

Currently, Spain has 6.3GW of hydroelectric and 1GW of thermal storage capacity installed. In fact, the non-BESS storage capacity in Spain is higher than in any other European country. As a result, the need for BESS to integrate renewable energy sources into the electricity system is less immediate than in the UK, for example.

How many Bess projects are there in Spain?

In March 2025, UK companies Renewco and Atlantica announced the development of up to 2.2GW of BESS projects across Spain. Other projects in the pipeline primarily involve storage co-located with solar or wind generation. According to BloombergNEF, the total capacity currently in the BESS pipeline is around 3GW.

Will ERDF funds support storage deployment in Spain?

The recent approval of the use of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funds to support the storage deployment in Spain opens the door for a first batch of around 2GW distributed in close to 100 projects, heavily supported by public financing.

What is the current situation of the Spanish Bess market?

The current situation of the Spanish BESS market confirms that both of these factors are required to gain market attraction: Despite a high penetration of renewable energy, the Spanish regulatory framework has been lagging and the first BESS projects of significant size have yet to be built.