Battery storage has reached a major milestone in Britain’s energy transition, with installed battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity surpassing the country’s nuclear generating capacity for the first time, according to the latest analysis from Drax Electric Insights.
The report, produced independently by academics from Imperial College London and commissioned by Drax, highlights the growing role battery storage is playing in supporting Britain’s electricity system as demand for flexible power continues to grow.
Installed battery capacity has risen from just 10MW to nearly 7GW in under a decade, now exceeding the combined capacity of Britain’s nuclear reactor fleet.
While batteries and nuclear power serve different roles within the energy system, the milestone underlines the rapid pace of investment in storage technologies. Batteries are increasingly helping to balance supply and demand, absorb electricity when it is abundant and release it when it is needed most.
Dr Iain Staffell, lead author of the report and Associate Professor in Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London, said, “Battery storage has become one of the fastest-growing parts of Britain’s electricity system. The fact that installed battery capacity has now surpassed nuclear generating capacity demonstrates just how rapidly storage technologies are scaling.
“As the power system evolves, batteries are playing an increasingly important role in maintaining reliability, managing network constraints and supporting a more flexible electricity grid. They are already changing how the system operates on a day-to-day basis.”
Analysis also points to rising electricity demand from AI data centres and wider electrification across the economy, increasing the need for technologies that can provide flexibility and support grid stability.
The report highlights how battery projects can respond to changes in system conditions within seconds, helping grid operators manage fluctuations, reduce network constraints and support the UK’s energy security.
Ian Kinnaird, FlexGen Assets Director at Drax said, “Battery storage is moving from a supporting technology to a critical part of Britain’s energy infrastructure. While nuclear power continues to provide an important source of baseload generation, batteries are becoming indispensable in helping the electricity system operate efficiently and reliably.
“The rapid growth of battery storage reflects the increasing value of flexibility across the power system. As electricity demand grows, batteries will play an ever-greater role in supporting economic growth, enabling new technologies and strengthening Britain’s energy resilience, alongside other forms flexible generation.”
For more information and to access the report, visit Drax Electric Insights.
