Industry warns: energy storage delay threatens Dutch green future

A new report on the energy storage market in the Netherlands calls for accelerating the adoption of energy storage policies. As the share of electricity from renewables increases, the country faces challenges such as grid congestion and reliance on gas-fired power plants. However, the report highlights a massive opportunity, as European flexibility demand is set to grow fivefold by 2030. To capitalize on this, the Netherlands must accelerate investment in battery, heat, and hydrogen storage technologies to make sustainable energy more affordable, secure, and scalable.

The report “Energy Storage Market Research 2025” by Energy Storage NL and Ecorys calls for the Netherlands to accelerate its energy storage policies. "Energy storage is no longer an option, but a necessity. This study shows where we are now, where the bottlenecks are, and - above all - where the opportunities are. If we seize these opportunities, the Netherlands can not only accelerate its own energy transition, but also take a leading role internationally," stated Jeroen Neefs, director of Energy Storage NL.

Renewable energy and grid challenges

More than half of the Dutch electricity generated in 2024 came from solar and wind power. The intermittent nature of renewable sources leads to production peaks and troughs, resulting in negative electricity prices and energy losses. Thousands of businesses are currently awaiting grid connections, and the country still relies on gas-fired power plants to meet energy demands. These factors highlight the urgent need for effective energy storage solutions to stabilize the grid and ensure a reliable energy supply.

Without substantial investments in batteries, heat buffers, and hydrogen storage, the Netherlands risks falling behind other European nations and becoming more dependent on gas power plants.

The energy storage market

According to the analysis, the Dutch battery market has grown, reaching 1 GWh of storage capacity in 2024 and is expected to reach 2.1 GWh in 2025. While there are over 15 GWh of battery projects in the pipeline, their realization remains uncertain. Heat storage presents substantial potential, but its scaling is hindered by high investment risks and slow permitting procedures. Molecule storage, particularly hydrogen, is crucial for managing seasonal energy fluctuations; however, high costs and policy uncertainties are impeding market growth.

Europe's demand for flexibility is projected to increase fivefold to 1,608 TWh per year by 2030, representing a market worth hundreds of billions of euros. The Netherlands currently lacks a clear strategy to capitalize on this growing demand. Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom are already investing heavily in energy storage and setting national targets, positioning themselves to lead in the energy transition.