No power without batteries: Why storage is essential
© AceleAfrica
Energy storage is increasingly becoming a trending topic in the debate on how to achieve renewable electrification worldwide. While some renewable sources can generate power throughout the day and night, others, such as solar energy, stop generating electricity in the evening, which is when electricity consumption often reaches its peak. Batteries come to the rescue when this happens, supporting renewable energy generation technologies when supply cannot keep up with demand.
According to the IEA’s Global Energy Review 2026, battery storage is the fastest growing power technology today. In 2025, 108 GW of new battery storage capacity was deployed worldwide, 40% more than in 2024. Installed capacity is now 11 times higher than in 2021.
© IEA, Global Energy Review 2026
ARE Members are taking their fair share of this growth. 85 ARE Members are actively operating in the energy storage space and deploying or financing new systems across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
In view of the various use cases of energy storage technologies, ARE is increasingly covering e-mobility as well. During EAIF 2026 in Kenya, ARE organised a session on e-mobility which also focused on charging infrastructure.
Often neglected but nonetheless essential is what to do with the batteries at the end of their life cycle, ie how to address circularity. Battery recycling remains an environmental and health issue in many developing countries today. In this regard, ARE’s project ProBaMet focused on sound battery recycling practices in Nigeria and collected over 100 commitments from the private sector.
Finally, ARE is presenting many activities until the end of the year to put the spotlight on energy storage technologies. First, the upcoming edition of the I4E webinar series tomorrow will focus on Energy Storage & Circularity, with presentations from ARE Members. ARE will then launch the Green Industrialisation Days 2026. Co-hosted by Enabel, the event’s main topic will be commercial and industrial electrification, while highlighting the key role energy storage technologies play in keeping the supply stable and reliable.
Finally, ARE’s flagship event, the ARE Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2026, will open for registrations in September. As always, EAIF 2026 will cover the latest trends and developments in the energy storage space.
If you are an energy storage company (looking to be) active in emerging markets, , consider becoming Member of ARE, to take part in these activities and to connect with project developers and financiers in ARE Membership. If you are an international organisation ready to scale up energy storage integration, ARE is open to partnering and developing projects together. Start the collaboration by sending an email to hello@renewelec.org and be part of the journey.
