The Netherlands has set a target of reaching 110 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of large-scale battery storage capacity by 2040, as the government seeks to address electricity grid congestion and improve the integration of renewable energy.

The target was announced on November 9 as part of a national energy storage strategy developed with electricity network operators, industry representatives, local authorities and the Authority for Consumers and Markets.

The planned capacity is more than 50 times the battery storage capacity available in the country at the end of 2025. The government said expanding storage infrastructure would help balance electricity supply and demand as renewable energy generation increases.

Large-scale batteries can store electricity produced during periods of high wind and solar generation and release it when production falls or demand rises. This can reduce pressure on the electricity network and limit the amount of renewable power that must be curtailed.

The strategy also aims to improve the conditions for developing battery projects. The government and energy sector have agreed to coordinate planning and identify locations where large batteries can support the electricity system.

Grid congestion has become a major constraint in the Netherlands, affecting businesses seeking new electricity connections and projects requiring additional capacity. The expansion of renewable generation and rising electricity demand have increased pressure on existing infrastructure.

The government is also considering how battery storage can support the wider energy transition by improving the reliability of electricity supplies.

The 110 GWh figure is a national target for 2040 rather than an immediate installation requirement. The government expects cooperation between network operators, regulators and the energy storage industry to be necessary to achieve it.