Why energy storage is a strategic priority for Europe
Pamela Largue
Posted on: 7 July 2026
In this Energy Transitions Podcast, Jacopo Tosoni says that energy storage has now become critical infrastructure to deliver energy security.
The energy storage sector has evolved dramatically over the past decade, having recently surpassed 100GW of installed power capacity.
With deployment expected to accelerate even further, energy storage is set to play an increasingly strategic role in delivering a resilient, affordable and decarbonised energy system.
To learn more about the trajectory of the sector, Pamela Largue speaks to Jacopo Tosoni, Head of Policy at Energy Storage Europe, who highlights key findings from the latest European Market Monitor on Energy Storage report. These findings clearly demonstrate that energy storage is no longer viewed as simply a renewable energy enabler, but as critical infrastructure for energy security and grid stability.
Tosoni explores the growing role of long-duration energy storage, the rise of co-located renewable and storage projects, and the opportunities for European innovation in supporting industrial decarbonisation and the expansion of AI data centres. Together, these developments position energy storage as a significant pillar of Europe's resilient, competitive and low-carbon energy future.
In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, you will learn more about:
- The drivers behind the unprecedented pace of Europe's energy storage market growth;
- The markets leading deployment and what countries like the UK, Italy and Germany are doing differently;
- How storage is becoming essential alongside solar and wind as renewable penetration increases;
- Why long-duration energy storage is gaining momentum;
- The policy and regulatory changes still needed to unlock the sector's full potential;
- What the recent EU tripartite agreement on energy storage signals and whether it's ambitious enough;
- How innovation in storage technologies could strengthen Europe's industrial competitiveness and support the growing demand from AI data centres.
