UK Launches Energy Storage Association to Accelerate Market Growth and Innovation
Key Insights
The Energy Storage Association (ESA) launched in Westminster as the UK's first trade body dedicated solely to the energy storage sector.
ESA aims to drive innovation, investment, and policy to unlock the potential of storage technologies, including batteries, thermal storage, and hydrogen-based solutions.
Founding members include GivEnergy, Sunsynk, and Octopus Energy, with Jason Howlett as interim CEO and Baroness Luciana Berger as chair.
The association aligns with the UK's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, targeting £25 billion in private investment over five years.
The UK energy storage sector marked a significant milestone with the launch of the Energy Storage Association (ESA) in Westminster on June 25. As the country's first trade body exclusively focused on energy storage, the ESA is poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of storage technologies. Interim CEO Jason Howlett, also the CEO of GivEnergy, and Baroness Luciana Berger, the newly appointed chair, will lead the organization in its mission to drive innovation, investment, and policy reforms.
The ESA's formation comes at a critical juncture as the UK government ramps up efforts to meet its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan targets. The association estimates that the sector could attract £25 billion in private investment over the next five years, underscoring the growing importance of storage solutions in a renewable-dominated grid. "Energy storage is not just critical for balancing and stabilizing a renewable-powered grid—it is also one of the biggest opportunities for investment, innovation, and leadership in the global transition to clean energy," Berger emphasized during the launch event.
The ESA will represent a broad spectrum of storage technologies, including electrical batteries, thermal storage, pumped hydro, and hydrogen-based solutions like green hydrogen and ammonia. Founding members such as GivEnergy, Sunsynk, Powervault, and Octopus Energy, alongside academic institutions Keele and Durham Universities, highlight the collaborative approach the association aims to foster.
The launch coincides with the upcoming Clean Power 2030 Summits in London, where UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks will deliver a keynote address. The summits, combining discussions on solar, wind, and green hydrogen, will further spotlight the ESA's role in shaping the future of the UK's energy landscape.