As the global energy sector transitions to cleaner sources, a major shift is taking place in how solar and wind power are deployed. Increasingly, new solar and wind projects are being paired with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), a development that is helping to overcome one of the biggest challenges facing renewable energy—intermittency. The use of grid-scale storage has become the answer and though in the past this was mainly the preserve of pumped storage but because of its obvious limitation the use of batteries have made significant inroads.
Consistent supply
Solar and wind power depend on natural conditions that fluctuate. Solar generation stops at night and drops during cloudy conditions, while wind turbines are only effective when wind speeds are favorable. As a result, power supply from these sources can be inconsistent. BESS offers a practical solution by storing excess electricity generated during periods of high production and releasing it when demand increases or supply drops. This ability to “time-shift” energy use makes renewable energy more reliable and grid-friendly.
Battery costs
Several factors are driving this growing trend. Chief among them is the sharp drop in battery costs. Over the last decade, the price of lithium-ion batteries has decreased by more than 85 percent, making large-scale energy storage more affordable and viable for utility projects. At the same time, there is increasing pressure on power grids to remain stable and resilient in the face of changing energy demands and extreme weather events. Batteries help maintain grid stability by smoothing out energy fluctuations, reducing the need for fossil-fuel-based peaker plants, and supporting frequency regulation.
Incentives
Governments and regulators are also playing a role. Many countries are introducing incentives, subsidies, and policy frameworks that encourage the inclusion of battery storage in renewable energy developments. In some markets, hybrid projects—where solar or wind farms are co-located with battery systems—receive faster permitting and grid connection approvals due to their ability to support system stability.
Several projects around the world demonstrate how this approach is being implemented. In California, the Darden Clean Energy Project pairs 1,150-megawatt (MW) solar facility and a 4,600 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery system. In Africa the 300MWh Kom Ombo BESS Project is an extension of AMEA Power’s operational 500MW Solar PV Plant that is located in Aswan Governorate, Egypt.
As the energy landscape evolves, hybrid solar and wind projects with integrated battery storage are becoming the new standard rather than the exception. Industry analysts estimate that by 2030, more than half of new renewable projects will include some form of energy storage. These systems are not only improving energy reliability but also making renewable power more cost-effective and widely accessible. With battery storage, the full potential of clean energy can be realized—providing stable, sustainable power well into the future.
