The energy sector in Spain is at a crucial moment for the development of electrical storage. According to the latest report from Red Eléctrica, 3,284 MW in the transmission grid and 5,194 MW in the distribution grid have been specifically identified as available for storage.

These figures represent a historic shift in the integration of renewable energy and the stability of the system.

“All this released capacity could be exhausted in the coming days,” warns Raúl García Posada, Director of ASEALEN.

“Developers are already submitting massive requests to access this capacity, especially in the transmission grid, which is key for large-scale stand-alone systems,” he states in an interview with Energía Estratégica España.

A new static criterion

Among the main regulatory changes, storage facilities without associated generation (stand-alone BESS) now have a more favorable access criterion: a 70% evacuation probability compared to the 90% applied to conventional generation.

“This positions storage as a key element to ensure the stability of the electrical system and the integration of renewables,” explains Alicia Carrasco, Co-founder and Executive Director of Entra Agregación y Flexibilidad.

This adjustment allows for the optimization of network use and promotes the development of storage projects in strategic locations.

“They will finally have a different and favorable generation access capacity compared to generation systems when the limiting criterion is static,” emphasizes Carlos Alcaide, Consultant and Project Manager at olivoEnergy.

Operational and regulatory impact on the grids

The figures presented in Red Eléctrica’s analysis also reflect a significant operational challenge. While the distribution grid could manage up to 35 GW according to its design and local characteristics, the actual access will depend on the specific approvals of each project.

“Developing storage projects requires a case-by-case analysis, considering factors such as proximity to generation or consumption,” adds García Posada, who also highlights the need for collaboration between developers, operators, and regulators to maximize the available capacities.

For his part, Abelardo Reinoso, Senior Advisor at MALAIKA NET ENERGY, shares the need to continue developing a regulatory framework that supports developers’ progress and states in an interview with Energía Estratégica España, “The sector has already shown interest, but there is a lack of agility and structure in the administrative and technical process to integrate it into the electrical system and the electricity market.”

Regulation: The challenge for the sector’s future

Although the progress in releasing capacity is a positive step, García Posada emphasizes the need for more detailed and efficient regulation for storage to reach its full potential.

“The future of the sector depends on clear regulatory frameworks that expedite processing and provide certainty to investors,” he asserts.

Currently, the processing time can extend for months, slowing down the development of new projects. To address this issue, García Posada proposes greater collaboration between regional administrations, operators, and developers, along with incentives to encourage technological innovation.

“Without clear regulation, we risk losing opportunities to improve system efficiency and advance toward a more sustainable model,” he emphasizes.

Strategic location: Near demand or generation

One of the key debates in designing storage projects is their strategic location. According to García Posada, “The decision to connect near demand or generation depends on the characteristics of each grid and the specific goals of the project.”

For example, in grids with high renewable penetration, storage systems can be located near generation to avoid congestion during periods of high solar or wind production. However, in areas with specific demands, such as electric vehicle charging, behind-the-meter storage or in distribution grids can provide additional flexibility and improve system resilience.

“Each critical node poses unique challenges,” explains García Posada, adding, “In some cases, existing infrastructure may not be enough to support the demand or evacuate excess renewable generation, requiring innovative and customized solutions.”