Battery Storage Jumps 51% as Clean Energy Surges Worldwide

The planet just took a massive leap toward reliable clean energy, and the numbers prove we're moving faster than anyone predicted.

Battery energy storage systems grew by an astonishing 51% in 2025, with 315 gigawatt hours installed worldwide. That's enough storage capacity to keep entire cities running on renewable power when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing.

China led the charge, installing more battery capacity in just December than the United States managed in twelve months. The U.S. still claimed second place globally, while Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Chile rounded out the top five markets.

The real story sits in how these systems are scaling up. Giant grid-scale projects accounted for nearly 240 gigawatt hours of installations, powering everything from neighborhoods to industrial facilities.

Project sizes exploded too. The world saw 46 massive giga-scale battery projects come online in 2025, nearly triple the 17 projects from 2024. More than 150 similar projects are already in the pipeline for 2026.

The Ripple Effect

This surge solves one of renewable energy's biggest challenges: storing power for when we need it most. Solar panels and wind turbines generate clean electricity, but batteries make that power available around the clock.

Communities that once relied entirely on fossil fuel power plants can now store sunshine and wind for nighttime and calm days. That means cleaner air, lower energy costs over time, and more stable electric grids.

The momentum shows no signs of slowing. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence forecasts over 450 gigawatt hours of new battery capacity in 2026, a 43% jump from this year.

Supply won't be an issue either. Battery cell production has been outpacing demand, with manufacturers expanding capacity even further this year to meet growing needs.

For countries racing to cut carbon emissions and build energy independence, these batteries represent hope in action, proving the clean energy transition is accelerating faster than the pessimists predicted.