Supercharging Battery Storage Initiative – Launch!
Clean Energy Ministerial Launches Groundbreaking Initiative to supercharge battery storage deployment globally.
[Dubai, 6th December] — In a significant move towards the decarbonization of power systems and achieving universal energy access, the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) member governments are proud to announce the launch of the “CEM Supercharging Battery Storage Initiative” to boost deployment of battery storage globally. This initiative marks an important leap forward in the pursuit of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
The increasing reliance on renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, necessitates a more flexible and reliable energy system. To address this need, batteries emerge as a pivotal component in the integration of these resources into power grids efficiently. Additionally, battery storage presents a compelling solution for delivering reliable and cost-effective electricity to isolated and off-grid communities, reducing dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
According to projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global battery storage capacity must reach over 1,000 GW by 2030 to align with net-zero ambitions—an ambitious 23-fold expansion compared to current installed capacity.
Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, governments, private sector leaders, and civil society representatives came together at the Clean Energy Ministerial in Goa, India in July 2023 and at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit in New York in September 2023 to agree on the necessity for immediate action in support of this goal and committed to coordinate actions under the umbrella of the Clean Energy Ministerial through the Supercharging Battery Storage initiative.
The new CEM Supercharging Battery Storage initiative will aim to boost stationary battery storage development and deployment and reduce technology cost, through international cooperation and alignment as appropriate, to build a diversified, sustainable, responsible, secure, and transparent supply chain, to promote grid stability and reliability and to support the integration of renewable energy globally.
The initiative, co-led by the European Commission and Australia with the support of the United States and Canada as participants, is poised to catalyze coordination and collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society, providing a roadmap for accelerated action to ensure a sustainable and resilient energy future for generations to come.
Leaders from Governments and partner organizations voiced their support:
“Batteries have a major role to play in clean energy transitions. They are already essential for the continued rapid rise of electric cars and other forms of e-mobility – and they are becoming increasingly important for the growth of clean electricity systems, enabling rising shares of wind and solar PV. With this in mind, the IEA will undertake a special report in 2024 on the future role of battery storage.”
Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
“Battery storage technologies are essential to speeding up the clean energy transition away from coal and fossil fuels, while meeting global electricity demands. The world needs more than 20 times more battery storage by 2030. This new initiative will bring together a powerful coalition of national and subnational governments and industry experts with experience developing battery storage systems that will help usher in a fossil-fuel free future.”
Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies
“I fully support the Clean Energy Ministerial initiative to supercharge global battery storage Deployment and its strong potential to help achieve the global target for tripled renewable energy generation by 2030. Battery storage will be the backbone of the green transition with an essential role to decarbonise transport and energy. It will enable a truly decentralised and integrated energy system based on efficient use and renewable generation.”
Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President of the European Commission
“It is crucial that governments, researchers and investors work together to accelerate global battery capacity in this critical decade for climate action. Australia is taking strong action to rapidly increase the rollout of batteries and other dispatchable energy through our expanded Capacity Investment Scheme, to deliver a long-term reliable, affordable and low-emissions energy system and help achieve our target of reaching 82% renewables by 2030.”
Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia
“Battery storage— especially grid-scale storage—is an essential piece of the decarbonization puzzle. In the U.S. alone, to complete the picture of our net-zero economy, we’ll need 1.5 to 2.5 terawatts of power capacity, plus up to tens of thousands of terawatt-hours in storage duration. That’s why the United States is investing billions of dollars in this effort. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why I’m proud the United States is joining with Australia, Canada, and the European Commission to launch a new CEM initiative on supercharging battery storage deployment.”
Jennifer M. Granholm, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
“Canada is pleased to announce its participation as a founding member of the Clean Energy Ministerial’s initiative to supercharge global battery storage deployment, alongside Australia, the European Commission and the United States. Stationary battery storage plays a critical role in advancing our global energy and net-zero commitments. We are pleased to be collaborating with governments, private and public financiers, and other key stakeholders to advance this work.”
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada
“The Secretary-General’s Acceleration Agenda calls for unprecedented levels of international cooperation to slash emissions and deliver climate justice. The CEM Supercharging Battery Storage initiative is a significant effort to accelerate the growth of battery storage, which is essential for the electric and clean energy future our planet needs. This initiative is an example of the international collaboration needed to achieve the global temperature goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
Selwin Hart, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition
“Battery storage represents the next great push to get the world onto a net-zero pathway through its ability to increase the integration of renewable energy and decarbonize transportation. Developing countries are at the forefront of that push as they build energy systems to support a clean and just transition. The Climate Investment Funds welcomes the Supercharging Battery Storage Initiative and looks forward to finding ways to partner with the Clean Energy Ministerial to achieve its goals.”
Luis Tineo, Interim CEO Climate Investment Funds (CIF)
“The success of achieving such an ambitious increase in battery capacity within this timeframe requires unprecedented collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society. The Clean Energy Ministerial is proud to take the lead in bringing together nations and key stakeholders and be a catalyst to addressing this critical challenge.”
Jean-François Gagne’, Head of CEM Secretariat
The CEM Supercharging Battery Storage Initiative marks a pivotal moment in the global transition to renewable energy, showcasing the potential for collaboration to drive change. The Clean Energy Ministerial and its partners are determined to turn ambitions into action, making strides towards a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape.
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