The UK government has set its sights on becoming a Clean Energy Superpower, with a bold mission to deliver clean, affordable, and secure power to every home and business. At the heart of this transformation lies a smarter, more flexible electricity system, as outlined in the “Clean Flexibility Roadmap“. A future that integrates variable renewables like wind and solar, empowers consumers, and ensures a net-zero future.

But there’s a key ingredient that often goes uncelebrated, and that is energy storage. Without it, achieving a vision of clean power by 2030 and net zero by 2050 becomes far more challenging. Energy storage is no longer optional. It is essential.

Why energy storage matters 

As the UK’s energy landscape rapidly shifts towards renewables, energy storage technologies, including electrical and heat batteries, pumped hydro, green hydrogen production and other long-duration storage systems are vital for balancing the grid.

Wind and solar power are clean and increasingly cost-effective, but they’re also variable. The sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. Energy storage ensures we can store excess power when it’s plentiful and release it when it’s needed most, whether that’s during a windless winter evening or when demand spikes during a heatwave.

This ability to shift supply over hours, days, and even seasons underpins the Clean Flexibility Roadmap, the government’s blueprint for building a grid that is not only green but also resilient, responsive, and cost-effective.

Unlocking the full value of renewables

Energy storage doesn’t work in isolation; it forms part of a wider ecosystem of clean flexibility, which includes smart tariffs, interconnectors, consumer-led flexibility, and low-carbon dispatchable power. By integrating storage into this system, the UK can:

• Maximise the use of cheap renewable electricity instead of wasting it
• Reduce reliance on gas and fossil-fuel backup power
• Minimise the need for costly new grid infrastructure
• Free up grid capacity, making the entire system more efficient

This whole-system approach drives down costs and emissions while maintaining energy security, a key concern amid global volatility.

Benefits for consumers

For households, the rise of energy storage means more control over when and how they use electricity. Consumers can automatically shift demand to cheaper, greener times of day through the use of smart appliances and batteries which leads to tangible savings. For example in the Clean flexibility roadmap, the government estimates:

• EV owners can save £330 a year by smart charging overnight.
• Heat pump users can save over £250 a year using smart tariffs.
• Even shifting washing machine use to off-peak hours can trim £38 annually from bills.

And the benefits go deeper: as more homes and businesses store and use energy flexibly, overall system costs fall, reducing bills for everyone, not just those who actively participate.

Powering growth 

Storage isn’t just a technical solution; it’s an economic opportunity. The UK’s smart control and storage sectors already support nearly 30,000 high-quality jobs, with growth expected to accelerate. The development of Pumped Storage Hydropower alone could create 14,800 local jobs, while the emerging hydrogen and carbon capture sectors are expected to support up to 50,000 more by 2030. These aren’t just numbers, they represent a potential thriving green economy grounded in UK innovation, manufacturing and investment.

Reliability

Electricity demand in Britain is projected to at least double by 2050 as we electrify transport, heating and industry. Simultaneously, fossil fuel capacity is retiring. This is where energy storage becomes indispensable. During periods of low renewable output, storage steps in to:

• Bridge gaps in supply
• Manage seasonal fluctuations
• Protect against grid instability

Whether it’s lithium-ion batteries for short bursts or long-duration storage to power entire regions through extended calm weather, storage is what ensures reliable power, 24/7/365.

Policy momentum

The UK government has recognised the central role of storage in its Clean Flexibility Roadmap, with recent commitments including:

• A cap-and-floor scheme to support investment in Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES)
• Reforms to unlock energy markets for storage and flexibility providers
• Strategic coordination with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator (NESO)
• Smart meter and tariff initiatives to help households and businesses benefit from storage and flexibility

This is not just about infrastructure, it’s about governance, regulation, consumer empowerment and unlocking innovation through secure data sharing and market reform.

The road ahead

We are just at the beginning of this transformation. But the direction is clear:

• Smart homes with rooftop solar, batteries and smart tariffs
• Businesses that earn by being flexible with their energy use
• Grid-scale storage ensuring national resilience
• A coordinated strategy from government, regulators and industry driving investment and growth

Energy storage is the bridge between renewable ambition and real-world delivery.

A cleaner, smarter, more resilient future

If Britain is to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate goals while keeping energy bills low and power reliable, energy storage must be at the centre of our energy system. It enables renewables, empowers consumers, strengthens the grid, and fuels economic growth. The time to act is now. By investing in and embedding energy storage across our infrastructure, we can build a future that is clean, affordable, and secure for all.

Energy storage isn’t just part of the solution, it’s the backbone of Britain’s clean energy future and the Energy Storage Association (ESA) UK will continue to support government, NESO, OFGEM to ensure this is delivered.

28th July 2025