Italy's BESS Boom: 300 GW in Grid Requests and Rapid Capacity Growth

Italy's Energy Storage Pipeline Reaches Unprecedented Levels

Italy is rapidly cementing its position as a leader in the European battery energy storage system (BESS) market. By the end of 2025, grid connection requests for BESS in the country reached an astonishing 300 GW. According to recent data, 56 GW of these requests have been authorized to proceed, while 6.8 GW are already ready to start construction. Currently, the installed storage capacity in Italy stands at 7.4 GW and 17.9 GWh, with the grid operator Terna estimating that the nation will need approximately 72 GWh of storage by 2030.

Rapid Capacity Additions in H1 2026

This massive pipeline is supported by robust deployment. In the first half of 2026 alone, Italy installed 2.61 GW of new solar capacity, bringing the total installed PV capacity to 46.8 GW. Over the same period, electrochemical energy storage capacity approached the 12 GWh mark. The integration of storage is becoming increasingly vital, as evidenced by August 2026 data showing PV generation reached 6.15 TWh, representing 51.4% of the country's total renewable electricity generation.

Recent Project Milestones

The market is also seeing significant commercial activity. Greek developer Metlen Energy & Metals and Italian utility Dolomiti Energia recently inaugurated a 25MW/75MWh BESS in Erchie, Apulia. This facility is one of the first large-scale operational BESS sites in Italy and the first connected to the local substation. Additionally, the commercial and industrial sector is active, with Sungrow and ESPE deploying a 4.15 MWp PV and 4.60 MWh BESS project along the A4 motorway. Dragone Energy also implemented a Renewable Energy Community project in Villanova d'Asti, featuring a 764 kW PV plant paired with a 3,200-kWh Sungrow PowerStack.

Terna estimates Italy will need approximately 72 GWh of storage by 2030 to support its growing renewable energy mix.

Source: Executive Digest, PR Newswire, Goalfore

This article was assisted by AI analysis. Please refer to the original source for official information.