As renewable energy continues to grow around the world, battery storage is quickly becoming one of the most important tools for building a cleaner, more reliable electric grid.

According to a recent article by Dan McCarthy for Canary Media, global installations of grid battery storage surged by 48% in 2025 compared to the previous year. In total, the world added 112 gigawatts of battery storage capacity last year — a record-breaking amount and nearly 10 times more than what was installed just four years ago in 2021.

So why does this matter?

Battery storage systems allow electricity generated from renewable energy sources like solar and wind to be stored and used later when energy demand is high or when the sun is not shining. As more renewable energy comes online, batteries are helping stabilize the grid, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and improve energy reliability.

China and the United States are currently leading the global battery boom. China alone accounted for more than half of all battery storage installations in 2025, while the U.S. made up about 16%. Other countries are also rapidly expanding storage capacity, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and regions across sub-Saharan Africa.

One major reason battery storage is growing so quickly is cost. Lithium-ion battery prices have dropped by more than 90% over the last 15 years, making storage technology far more affordable and accessible than it once was.

Battery storage is also becoming increasingly important as electricity demand rises. The growth of electric vehicles, building electrification, and energy-intensive technologies like data centers are placing more pressure on the grid. Batteries can help meet this demand by storing excess renewable energy and delivering it when communities need it most.

The rapid expansion of energy storage shows that clean energy solutions are scaling around the world. Here on Long Island and across New York, battery storage will continue to play an important role in supporting renewable energy, improving grid resilience, and helping communities transition toward a cleaner energy future.

This blog post references reporting from “The world is installing grid batteries at a blistering pace” by Dan McCarthy, published by Canary Media on May 15, 2026.