Big batteries are taking off in Europe and are set to become a major contributor to the energy transition worldwide.
In Europe, deployment has now reached a critical inflection point. Annual utility-scale BESS installations doubled between 2024 and 2025, while cumulative capacity surpassed 100 GW for the first time over the same period.
These insights come from new analysis by Wood Mackenzie, led by EMEA principal analyst for energy storage Anna Darmani. Anna joined The Smarter E podcast to reflect on recent developments – and what’s next for utility-scale BESS deployment heading into 2026.
About The smarter E Podcast
The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our host welcomes and interviews personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published bi-weekly on Thursdays.
Anna is a principal analyst on Wood Mackenzie’s global energy storage team, focused on the European, Middle East and African storage markets. She joined the company in 2021, bringing more than seven years of energy industry experience.
Earlier in her career, Anna worked at EIT InnoEnergy, developing innovation and technology roadmaps and contributing to several EU research and advisory projects. She was one of the founding members of the European Battery Alliance.
Anna has completed a PhD in Industrial Economics and Management, at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology/Technical University of Madrid.