Germany Drives Europe’s Renewable‑Plus‑Battery Surge to 35 GW by 2030

Europe’s renewable‑plus‑storage market is on a steep upward curve. Aurora Energy Research projects total installed capacity to climb from 6 GW in 2025 to a possible 35 GW by the end of the decade. The analysis covers 20 markets and ranks Germany, Great Britain and Bulgaria as the most attractive for co‑located projects.

Germany tops the list because of its large market size and strong upside for investors. Great Britain follows, buoyed by a sizable existing fleet and contracts for difference that smooth connection delays. Bulgaria ranks third, thanks to generous subsidies and a solid pipeline of projects.

Co‑location—pairing wind or solar farms with battery storage on the same site—has moved from a niche option to a core strategy. Analysts say it protects project economics and keeps investment momentum alive as renewable penetration pushes grids toward congestion, curtailment and price swings.

Curtailment, the forced reduction of renewable output to avoid overloading the grid, is expected to more than triple. Forecasts show it rising from just over 10 TWh in 2024 to roughly 33 TWh by 2030 across Europe’s key power markets. Batteries co‑located with generation can shift output to periods of higher demand, cutting curtailment and improving revenue.

The drivers differ by country. In some markets, merchant upside—profits from selling electricity at market prices—spurs development. In others, stable subsidies or the need to bypass grid bottlenecks dominate. Regardless of the motive, the common thread is the need to manage grid constraints as renewable share climbs.

What to watch next: policy shifts, grid‑upgrade timelines and battery cost trends will shape whether Europe can meet the 35 GW target and keep curtailment in check.