The European Commission’s newly proposed Industrial Accelerator Act could significantly shape the development of Europe’s battery supply chain and the deployment of energy storage technologies, according to Energy Storage Europe.
The Commission published the legislation on March 4, introducing “Made in Europe” requirements for the procurement and auction of certain industrial products, including energy storage technologies.
According to Energy Storage Europe, the Act also includes measures aimed at simplifying permitting procedures for industrial manufacturing projects, establishing dedicated industrial “acceleration areas,” and speeding up the deployment of decarbonisation projects that rely on energy storage.
Aurélien Ballagny said the industry group supports the goal of strengthening Europe’s domestic manufacturing capacity for storage technologies.
“Energy Storage Europe acknowledges the ambition to strengthen European industrial capabilities in the manufacturing of energy storage technologies,” Ballagny said.
However, he cautioned that new requirements on supply chain origin should be implemented carefully to avoid disrupting the sector’s growth.
“However, the introduction of Union origin requirements across the battery supply chain must be gradual in order to provide clear signals to investors and sufficient time to build the necessary industrial capacity,” he said.
Ballagny added that dependencies in the battery supply chain should be addressed through diversification while maintaining the pace of renewable deployment.
“Identified dependencies should be addressed through a realistic pathway for diversification, ensuring that the deployment of energy storage – and therefore renewables – is not slowed down or made more expensive,” he said.
Alberto Gasparato said the group welcomed measures in the Act designed to support the production of net-zero technologies.
“Energy Storage Europe welcomes the Industrial Accelerator Act’s measures to support the manufacturing of net-zero technologies, including energy storage,” Gasparato said.
He added that administrative reforms could also help speed up project development.
“The introduction of single access points, single permit-granting procedures, and the establishment of industrial manufacturing accelerator areas significantly benefits the production and deployment of energy storage technologies,” Gasparato said.
