Energy Storage

European Commission Presents AccelerateEU Energy Union Plan for Affordable and Secure Clean Energy

In April 2026 the European Commission issued its AccelerateEU Energy Union Communication, launching a five-pillar plan to respond to the latest fossil fuel price shock and accelerate the shift to affordable, secure clean energy across the EU. The strategy signals tighter crisis coordination, faster electrification and grid investment, and expanded use of EU funding and ETS reforms, meaning energy-intensive industries and utilities should plan now for accelerated capital spending and policy-driven shifts in their fuel and technology mix over the coming decade.

23 Apr 2026, 08:18eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

UK DESNZ And Ofgem Highlight Battery Storage Surplus In Connections Reform Update

In April 2026, DESNZ and Ofgem issued an open letter updating on electricity connections reform and highlighting that grid-scale battery projects now significantly exceed capacity ranges in Great Britain’s reformed connection queue. The letter signals closer oversight of connection offers, possible changes via NESO’s connections methodology consultation, and an expectation that developers and networks proactively manage non-viable capacity to protect consumer costs and deliver clean power targets.

22 Apr 2026, 14:12gov.ukUnited Kingdom

California SB 1428 Would Clarify Gravity-Based Energy Storage Pilot and Tighten Ballast Water Standards

California’s SB 1428, which has passed the state Senate and moved to the Assembly, would clean up cross-references in the gravity-based energy storage well pilot, update ballast water management provisions for marine invasive species, and make minor adjustments to wildfire resilience and port land governance in the Public Resources Code. If enacted, it would confirm ambitious 2030 and 2040 ballast water treatment performance milestones for vessels, align California’s ballast water rules more closely with federal standards while preserving stricter state targets, and provide greater legal clarity for operators involved in energy storage projects and Jack London Square development.

22 Apr 2026, 08:57leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Netherlands Third LAN Progress Report Confirms New Land-Access and Connection Priority Rules

The Dutch government’s third LAN progress report, published in April 2026, confirms that new land‑access rules and an ACM connection prioritisation framework to tackle electricity grid congestion are now in force. These measures, together with flexible connection contracts, upcoming time‑of‑use tariffs and richer grid‑capacity data, will shape how large users and infrastructure projects secure grid access and should inform investment, siting and flexibility strategies ahead of the July 2026 implementation deadline.

21 Apr 2026, 17:44zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

New York Senate Introduces Bill S9915 on Workforce Standards for Battery Energy Storage Systems

New York has introduced Senate Bill S9915 to make state financial support for large battery energy storage projects conditional on stringent workforce standards, including prevailing wages, apprenticeship utilisation, safety training, and minimum staffing for operations and maintenance workers. If enacted, this would raise labour and compliance expectations for battery storage owners and operators receiving public incentives in New York, potentially affecting project economics, O&M contracting models, and timelines as the state scales up its grid storage capacity.

19 Apr 2026, 18:03nysenate.govUnited States

Massachusetts House Sends Battery Storage Facility Study Order H.5353 to Rules Committee

The Massachusetts House has converted an earlier bill on battery storage facility permitting and penalties (H.4685) into a study order (H.5353), referring the topic to House Rules for further review rather than advancing substantive legislation this session. This removes immediate pressure for new permitting and penalty requirements on battery storage facilities, but confirms that Massachusetts legislators are actively scrutinising how these projects are overseen and may revisit the issue in future sessions.

19 Apr 2026, 14:31malegislature.govUnited States

Netherlands Sets Work Programme to Strengthen Decentralised Energy Developments

On 13 April 2026 the Dutch government published a parliamentary letter setting out how it will strengthen decentralised energy developments, supported by new monitors and studies on onshore wind, solar PV, local energy hubs and heat networks. This non-binding work programme prepares higher 2040 indicative targets and integrated planning and funding tools for local energy systems, signalling long-term support for decentralised renewables, grid-congestion solutions and regional investments that energy-intensive companies should track for future project and location decisions.

18 Apr 2026, 08:12open.overheid.nlNetherlands

Swedish Energy Agency Clarifies Thermal Storage Exclusion Under Kraftlyftet Call

The Swedish Energy Agency has confirmed that, following an EU Commission clarification of GBER Article 41(1)(a), thermal storage investments are effectively ineligible for support under the ongoing Kraftlyftet production and storage call closing on 7 May 2026. This narrows access to state aid for district heating projects, so heat network operators and project developers must refocus Kraftlyftet applications on behind-the-meter storage directly connected to renewable plants or seek alternative funding for network-level thermal storage.

17 Apr 2026, 18:53energimyndigheten.seSwedenEuropean Union

Illinois SB3922 Would Revise Energy Storage Payments, DG Rebates, Siting Setbacks, and Community Renewable Caps

Illinois Senate Bill 3922, now in committee, would adjust compensation rules for virtual power plant energy storage, extend distributed generation rebate levels, constrain county setback authority for wind and solar, and halve the maximum size of community renewable projects. If enacted, the bill would materially affect the economics, siting flexibility, and design of solar, storage, and community renewable projects in Illinois, shaping future investment decisions and programme participation.

16 Apr 2026, 14:00ilga.govUnited States

Maryland Bill HB1459 Proposes Fire Training Obligations for Stationary Energy Storage Systems

A Maryland bill (HB1459) would require owners and operators of stationary energy storage systems to fund NFPA 855-compliant fire response training and specialised battery fire suppression equipment for local fire departments, with the State Fire Marshal enforcing the requirements from 1 October 2026 if enacted. Energy storage developers and asset owners in Maryland should monitor the bill’s progress and plan for potential training and equipment costs, as well as forthcoming Fire Marshal regulations that could influence facility design, siting, and operational budgets.

15 Apr 2026, 18:59mgaleg.maryland.govUnited States

Illinois: HB5429 Proposes District Energy And Thermal Energy Storage Parity Act

Illinois HB5429 would create a District Energy and Thermal Energy Storage Parity Act, requiring large developments and state-led projects to evaluate district energy options, while setting up certification, grant, credit, and tax-exemption frameworks for qualified district energy infrastructure and dispatchable thermal storage. If enacted, this would push major campuses, industrial parks, and utilities in Illinois toward long-term electrification and heat-decarbonisation investments, shifting peak loads and expanding state-backed financing for both thermal and electrochemical energy storage assets.

15 Apr 2026, 17:54ilga.govUnited States

Illinois SB4028 Would Require ICC Rulemaking on 40 kW–2 MW Distributed Generation Interconnection Rules

Illinois Senate Bill 4028 would amend the Public Utilities Act to require the Illinois Commerce Commission, if the bill is enacted, to complete a time‑bound rulemaking that overhauls interconnection rules for 40 kW–2 MW distributed generation (including solar, storage, hybrid gas‑electric and RNG) and to align those rules with the Commission’s Future of Gas decarbonisation proceeding. If adopted, this would materially tighten timelines, cost caps, and transparency for mid‑scale project interconnections in Illinois, affecting utilities, distributed energy developers and large energy users planning to deploy on‑site generation and storage by mid‑2026.

15 Apr 2026, 17:49ilga.govUnited States

Nebraska Legislature Passes LB1010 On Energy Storage Resources And Large Load Customers

In April 2026 Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature passed LB1010, creating the Large Load Customer Regulation Act and a dedicated framework for regulating and taxing energy storage resources and very large electricity customers. This will materially change the siting, interconnection, and tax planning landscape for grid-scale storage projects, data centres, and cryptocurrency mining operations in Nebraska, and should be factored into future investment and compliance decisions.

15 Apr 2026, 15:23nebraskalegislature.govUnited States

Netherlands: Dordrecht Consults on 4th Omgevingsplan Amendment for Energy Storage Systems

Dordrecht has opened consultation on a fourth amendment to its omgevingsplan that would introduce a permit regime and assessment criteria for battery-based energy storage systems, with comments invited from 10 April to 21 May 2026. Energy, real-estate, and industrial projects in the municipality will need to factor in new siting, safety, and capacity constraints for storage installations when planning future investments and developments.

15 Apr 2026, 07:59zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

UK OPRED Issues Screening Direction for Rough Gas Storage Project

UK OPRED extended gas storage consent for the Rough project until April 2027, confirming no new Environmental Impact Assessment is required for increased capacity. This decision provides operational certainty for critical energy infrastructure while reinforcing the use of existing screening frameworks to manage environmental compliance.

4 Apr 2026, 10:55assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Council Seeks EESC and CoR Opinions on Energy Infrastructure Permitting Directive (COM(2025)1007)

EU Council advances proposal to accelerate permitting for renewable energy, grids, and hydrogen infrastructure through digital portals and tacit approval. Businesses should anticipate significantly reduced project lead times and streamlined administrative processes for energy-intensive operations and infrastructure deployment.

29 Mar 2026, 19:06eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

New York Assembly Bill A10723 Proposes Restrictions on Large Energy Storage Near Schools and Dwellings

New York Assembly Bill A10723 proposes a 500-foot setback for energy storage systems from schools and dwellings in cities with over one million residents. This mandate would significantly restrict urban siting for commercial battery projects, requiring developers to reassess project viability and land-use strategies in high-density areas.

29 Mar 2026, 18:56assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

Netherlands RIVM Publishes Calculation Method for External Safety of Lithium Battery Storage Systems

The Netherlands has introduced a standardized risk calculation method to evaluate the external safety and third-party risks of lithium-ion battery storage facilities. This methodology will likely become the basis for future permitting and spatial planning, requiring developers to implement more rigorous site assessments and potentially larger safety buffer zones.

28 Mar 2026, 20:33rivm.nlNetherlands

Austria: Government Bill for Renewable Energy Acceleration Act (EABG) and EAG Amendment

Austria has introduced a government bill for the Renewable Energy Acceleration Act to establish a streamlined one-stop permitting framework for renewable energy and grid infrastructure. This reform will significantly reduce administrative lead times and simplify compliance for energy developers by consolidating environmental and spatial planning approvals into a single procedure.

28 Mar 2026, 20:28parlament.gv.atAustria

Austria: Government Submits Renewables Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG) Bill (449 d.B.) to National Council

Austria has introduced legislation to significantly accelerate the permitting process for renewable energy generation, storage, and grid infrastructure. This reform lowers administrative barriers through concentrated approval procedures, reducing project lead times and investment risk for energy transition infrastructure.

28 Mar 2026, 20:28parlament.gv.atAustria