50% Rise in Germany’s BESS, 400 GW of New BESS Applications in 2024

The Federal Network Agency of Germany, also known as Bundesnetzagentur or BNetzA, has published new data revealing significant growth in battery energy storage system (BESS) applications beyond the household level.

The data underscores that Germany's total BESS capacity increased by 50 percent last year, reaching 14.5 GW in operational power by July 2025. The vast majority - about 11.5 GW - originates from household energy storage systems, demonstrating strong private sector participation in energy storage.

Surge in Large-Scale Applications

The highlight of the official statement is that, for 2024, grid operators recorded 9,710 new connection requests for BESS projects at medium and higher voltage levels, excluding home storage. These applications propose an ambitious combined operational power of approximately 400 GW and a storage capacity near 661 GWh.

This proposed capacity stands tall against the current 921 large-scale batteries that are in operation across Germany, delivering roughly 2.3 GW and 3.2 GWh of storage. 

Among ongoing projects, around 3,800 connection commitments have been issued, indicating permission for a combined 25 GW and 46 GWh capacity, though not all will necessarily be realised.

BESS Market Dynamics: Germany and Beyond

Germany’s surging solar capacity, with existing installed capacity totaling to approximately 112 GW, needs substantial grid flexibility and storage to manage energy supply and demand effectively. The rapid expansion in large-scale battery projects will be integral to achieving this balance.

The BESS sector in Europe is evolving, with Germany being the key hotspot for energy storage offtake. In the first five months of 2025, Germany alone announced 11 significant BESS deals totalling 540 MWh, reinforcing its position in the continent's energy transition. 

As per a Solar Power Europe analysis, BESS is bound to expand significantly in Europe – a sixfold increase from 2025 to nearly 120 GWh by 2029, driving total capacity to 400 GWh. However, Europe's market remains highly concentrated, with Germany, Italy, and the UK accounting for more than two-thirds of 2024 demand, and the top five markets hosting nearly 80 percent of installed capacity.