Twenty-Two EU Countries Make Voluntary Pledge for 30-35 Gigawatts of New Energy Storage by 2028

EU energy ministers signed the bloc's first tripartite agreement on energy storage on 26 June. The pact brings together member states, industry and financial institutions to expand facilities that capture surplus renewable electricity. Twenty-two countries committed to adding 30–35 gigawatts of new storage capacity by 2028.

The EU's overall target is 200 gigawatts by 2030, up from around 55 gigawatts today. The agreement aims to accelerate investment in batteries, pumped hydropower, thermal storage and other technologies. Member states pledged to remove regulatory barriers, improve planning and permitting, and mobilise public and private financing.

Surplus renewable electricity is sometimes wasted because there is not enough capacity to store it until it is needed. Fossil-fuel power plants remain necessary when renewable generation falls. Electricity demand is rising from electric vehicles, heat pumps and AI-driven data centres.

The commitments are voluntary. Euronews reported that the EU hopes the initiative will reduce wasted renewable energy, strengthen energy security, stabilise electricity prices and support its transition away from fossil fuels.