Bredbury battery storage

Why do we need battery storage?

To support a smooth transition to a renewables-based system, the UK needs to invest in technologies such as storage to maximise its benefits, enabling greater stability and reliability that will allow us to power our homes.

Fossil fuels have historically been used to provide electricity to the grid quickly at times when demand is high, such as early evenings when many people return home from school or work. Instead, battery storage can charge during times when there is low demand and store it for when it is needed most.

This allows us to make the most of the electricity that we generate and reduces carbon emissions associated with the burning of fossil fuels. With a proportion of the gas we use in the UK coming from overseas, battery storage also supports our domestic energy security.

National Grid forecasts suggest the UK could need up to 35 GW of electricity storage by 2050 to provide the flexibility needed to manage electricity supply and demand as we move to a system powered by renewables.