Energy storage has become a key piece of the electrical future in Spain, amidst the advance of renewable energies and the progressive withdrawal of nuclear generation. Ensuring the network stability Faced with production variability, meeting peak demand or responding to potential blackouts are some of the major current challenges, which both industry and government are seeking to address with new technological solutions and adapted regulatory frameworks.
In recent years there have emerged large-scale projects and a growing domestic industrial commitment—especially in the integration of batteries with photovoltaics—while the regulatory debate and institutional support keep much of the sector in suspense due to the lack of specific legislation that provides security and dynamism to investments.
Industrial drive and new storage projects in Spain
Spanish and European companies are leading a deployment of energy storage solutions to support the energy transition. Endurance Motive, a Valencian firm specializing in lithium batteries, has closed the sale of its first 5.015 kWh megabattery, the first manufactured entirely on the peninsula and destined for a solar project in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – City Life, History & Island VibesThis is a milestone for the national industry, both for the engineering capacity as well as the focus on the integration and operation of large-scale BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems).
The price of the system is around 500.000 Euros, integrating into a photovoltaic plant to improve the management of the energy generated. According to the company, this leap consolidates its position as a relevant player throughout the value chain: from manufacturing and the design to the implementation and maintenance of systems for the renewable hybridization market.
Parallel, galp has begun the development of two major energy storage facilities in Spain and Portugal, adding a capacity of 74 MW, with advanced battery systems that include grid-forming technology to improve grid stability. In Spain, the Manzanares solar park will host a 14 MW/28 MWh system, while in Portugal, four systems of more than 60 MW in the company's solar parks. These initiatives are supported by EU funding thanks to the REPowerEU Recovery and Resilience Plan.
In Extremadura, large developers such as Iberdrola, Fotowatio, Naturgy and Samca are in the environmental processing phase of ten storage projects hybrids with solar plants, which represent a potential investment exceeding 1.000 billion euros and a joint capacity greater than 3,5GWhThese projects would cover the consumption of the entire region for several hours and, according to sector technicians, can cushion voltage fluctuations and facilitate a better recovery from blackouts.
European solutions, sustainability and adaptation to regulations
The European market is also stepping on the accelerator. Maxxen, a Swiss manufacturer of storage solutions, has begun exporting its smart, modular, and scalable systems—manufactured in a carbon-neutral plant in Turkey—across Europe, with a strategy focused on industrial, commercial, and large-scale installation customers. Its systems comply with the EU technical and regulatory requirements and offer full adaptability for access to public aid and financing—in line with IDAE calls, PNRR schemes, or REPowerEU and NextGenEU programs.
The technology portfolio ranges from large-scale BESS systems to modular 'behind-the-meter' solutions for industrial self-consumption, including high-performance equipment. reliability, durability and European traceability. Maxxen also supports a sustainable model oriented towards second life and recycling of components, with commercial and technical operations centralized in Zurich and a direct presence in Spain and other strategic markets.
Regulatory challenges after the blockage of reforms
Despite this push, the sector is facing a regulatory uncertainty caused by the recent failure of parliament to validate Royal Decree-Law 7/2025. Significant progress has been halted, such as the declaration of public utility storage, exemption from environmental assessment for hybrid projects, redispatch priority or the introduction of demand aggregator. Industry associations such as ASEALEN and AEPIBAL warn of the risk for more than 2.000 billion euros in investments and the possible loss of public aid and projects committed until 2030.
Domestic and European manufacturers and developers had submitted bids for more than 30 GW in recent calls for proposals, although the lack of certainty is slowing the sector's acceleration. Experts emphasize the urgency of recovering and adapting the decree's essential measures, whether through new legislative initiatives or parliamentary consensus. The common objective is to provide storage with own and stable framework that guarantees integration with renewables, the viability of new investments and access to European financing.
Nuclear Challenge and Storage as a Renewable Backup
The debate on the progressive closure of nuclear power plants in Spain—which will continue until 2033—raises the need to strengthen energy storage to avoid supply risks and ensure coverage on days of peak demand. Currently, around 5,2% of total power installed in the country corresponds to nuclear, while renewable sources such as wind and solar reach 65% of capacity installed.
Experts agree that while other conventional technologies can cover much of the demand after nuclear closure, it is crucial to deploy more storage —especially through batteries—to ensure that renewable energy is not wasted during off-peak hours and can be fed back into the grid when it's most needed.
Currently, the vast majority of storage in Spain is based on hydraulic pumping, with only a small percentage coming from batteries. The challenge is to accelerate the deployment of modern, scalable systems capable of covering peaks, buffering voltage fluctuations, and gaining flexibility in the event of unexpected outages in renewable or backup generation.
The industry is experiencing rapid expansion, although it still depends on regulatory improvements that allow it to leverage investment and technological innovation at both the national and European levels. Storage is emerging as a guarantee of modernity, security, and resilience for the Spanish electricity system in the face of the challenges of the energy transition.
