Utility-scale battery storage set to grow in U.S.

Developers and power plant owners plan to significantly increase utility-scale battery storage capacity in the United States over the next three years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (IEA).

The agency sees battery storage reaching 30 GW by the end of 2025, based on its latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory.

“Developers and power plant owners report operating and planned capacity additions, including battery storage, to us through our electric generator surveys,” according to the IEA.

Battery storage capacity in the United States was negligible prior to 2020, when electricity storage capacity began growing rapidly, the agency said. As of October 2022, 7.8 GW of utility-scale battery storage was operating in the United States; developers and power plant operators expect to be using 1.4 GW more battery capacity by the end of the year. From 2023 to 2025, they expect to add another 20.8 GW of battery storage capacity.

The growth in U.S. battery storage capacity is outpacing even the early growth of the country’s utility-scale solar capacity. U.S. solar capacity began expanding in 2010 and grew from less than 1.0 GW in 2010 to 13.7 GW in 2015. In comparison, we expect battery storage to increase from 1.5 GW in 2020 to 30.0 GW in 2025. Much like solar power, growth in battery storage would change the U.S. electric generating portfolio.