The UK’s energy storage boom slowed in 2024, with a 40% drop in submitted capacity compared to 2023, while Ireland’s pipeline surged by 63%.
Despite a late-year uptick, UK battery energy storage system (BESS) applications struggled to match previous highs.
Ireland, still in the early stages of its energy storage rollout, saw its biggest year yet, with more than 7.4GWh of new capacity submitted. The country’s average site size grew from 113MWh in 2023 to 185MWh in 2024, signaling a shift toward larger projects.
In contrast, the UK saw fewer projects submitted, though large-scale developments like NatPower’s 1GW Teesside Green Energy Park kept momentum alive. Wales bucked the trend, with applications rising 150% year-on-year.
While the UK remains a leader in operational storage, with 7GWh installed, rejection rates rose due to community concerns over fire risks.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s approval rate climbed, with 5GWh greenlit in 2024 alone.
