ENGIE is advancing an ambitious global renewable energy expansion plan. The group currently has 46 GW of installed renewable capacity and aims to reach 50 GW by 2025, with an annual growth of 6 GW to hit 80 GW by 2030.

During the “Storage, Renewable and Electric Vehicles Integration Forum,” organized by Strategic Energy Corp (SEC), ENGIE reaffirmed that batteries and green hydrogen play a crucial role in its strategy.

The company already operates 2 GW of batteries in the UK and the United States and has set a goal of 10 GW by 2030, consolidating this technology as a scalable and grid-integrated solution. At the same time, ENGIE is betting on green hydrogen as a medium- to long-term solution, with a target of 4 GW of electrolyzers by 2035.

Watch the Event Here:

The first Strategic Energy Corp event of the year was a two-part virtual session, organized by Mobility Portal Europe and Strategic Energy Europe. Strategic Energy Corp partnered with Future Energy Summit (FES) to host this event, as FES is the leading platform for renewable energy discussions in Spanish-speaking countries, offering forums that facilitate debate and networking among major global and regional companies to drive the energy transition.

Notably, on 24 June, the third edition of FES Iberia 2025 will take place at Colegio Caminos (Auditorio Betancourt, C. de Almagro, 42, Chamberí) in Madrid. (Relive the previous edition here). The forum will feature companies such as Iberdrola, Nextracker, ENGIE, Grenergy, Statkraft, Acciona Energía, Red Eléctrica, and EDP Renovables, along with key government representatives from Spain and Latin America. Discussions will focus on solar and wind energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, distributed generation, PPAs, auctions, and new projects.

Batteries First, Green Hydrogen Later

For Daniel Fernández Alonso, ENGIE’s Director of Communications, Regulation, and Public Affairs, the strategy is clear: batteries are already a mature and scalable solution, whereas green hydrogen still faces challenges in terms of costs and industrial development.

“Batteries are ready and proven as an industrial solution. In contrast, green hydrogen remains a mid-term bet,” Fernández stated during the first panel of the “Storage and Renewable Leadership Forum.”

One of the main reasons for prioritizing batteries is their significantly lower capital expenditure (CAPEX) compared to green hydrogen. “The required CAPEX is much lower. To give some figures, installing standalone batteries in Spain costs approximately 500 euros/kW, while electrolyzers cost around 2 million euros/MW,” explained the ENGIE executive.

Another advantage of batteries is lower investment risk. “In terms of investment risks, batteries are less demanding and less risky because they simply store electrons without the need to produce hydrogen or compete with its substitution,” Fernández emphasized.

Beyond cost, the technological development gap between the two solutions is evident. “Battery technology is already tested and operational, whereas electrolyzers, while excellent on paper, have yet to achieve the necessary industrial maturity and scalability,” Fernández Alonso added.

Regarding social acceptance and environmental impact, batteries have a clear advantage, as they have a much smaller visual footprint compared to hydrogen, which requires a more complex industrial infrastructure.

Challenges of the Energy Transition in Europe

Europe has a regulatory and political framework aimed at accelerating the energy transition, driven by the Green Deal, RepowerEU, and the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). However, slow implementation remains a critical challenge for the sector. Regulatory complexity and a lack of coordination among different levels of government have led to lengthy approval timelines for renewable projects.

“We really need to accelerate. We have the technical knowledge, the companies, and the political ambition—all the pieces are on the table. But now is the time to speed things up. We need more strategic autonomy, which means more batteries. The key is greater simplification, better coordination, and real prioritization and acceleration,” Fernández Alonso stated.

A clear example of this sluggish pace is the delay in implementing concrete measures by the European Commission. Although the new Commission took office months ago, the first structural measures will only begin to roll out by late February with the Clean Industrial Deal, followed by additional policy releases between April and summer 2024.

Excessive bureaucracy and administrative hurdles are severely delaying renewable energy projects. “In Spain alone, we have three levels of administration: national government, regional government, and local municipalities. Coordinating all three is necessary just to start the construction of a project,” Fernández Alonso warned.

“We’re talking about five years of waiting, even for a technically sound project. If getting a permit takes five years, the transition cannot afford such delays.”

While Europe struggles with regulatory bottlenecks, the United States and China are advancing with clear strategies and achieving concrete results. “Meanwhile, Europe keeps regulating markets that, in some cases, don’t even exist yet, such as the green hydrogen market,” Fernández Alonso pointed out.

Geopolitical Measures Impacting the Energy Transition

Europe’s energy transition is not just shaped by internal factors but is also deeply influenced by global geopolitics. Competition in clean technology manufacturing and the energy policies of global superpowers play a decisive role in the development of renewable energy across the continent, particularly in the solar sector, which heavily depends on China for raw materials and manufacturing capacity.

“The fact that China has a clear state-driven plan to dominate global manufacturing is affecting Europe’s competitiveness in renewable technology. In terms of technological evolution and industrial capacity, Europe is not only outsourcing production but also losing its leadership,” Fernández Alonso pointed out.

Supply chain bottlenecks and dependency on logistics are also critical challenges. Fernández emphasized that Europe must rethink how to mitigate these risks associated with manufacturing and supply chain vulnerabilities to create a level playing field.

“The industrial playing field is unbalanced. We are reducing our dependency on fossil fuels from Russia, Algeria, the U.S., and Qatar, but at the same time, we are increasing our reliance on essential materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel—key components for batteries and energy storage technologies,” he added.

Just two days ago, European leaders met in Paris to discuss the current geopolitical landscape between the U.S. and Russia. “We got a great photo, but no concrete decisions. Once again, what we need is a clear path and firm decisions,” Fernández Alonso remarked.

Additionally, the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has created massive incentives for renewable energy investment, positioning the United States as a global leader in clean energy expansion, while Europe remains tangled in complex regulatory processes.

Growth in Spain: On Track for 3.8 GW by 2030

The Iberian Peninsula is a key market in Europe’s renewable sector and a major focus of ENGIE’s growth strategy. The company is currently the sixth-largest renewable energy operator in Spain, with 1.8 GW of installed capacity and plans to reach 3.8 GW by 2030.

“We have a pipeline of 3 GW under development, with a third of it already in the final permitting phase,” Fernández Alonso explained.

Despite regulatory hurdles, ENGIE remains confident that Spain and Portugal are key hubs for the energy transition. “The Iberian Peninsula is in the best position in history to lead a global industrial revolution, attract capital, develop projects, and transform the energy production model, the industrial model, and society as a whole,” Fernández Alonso concluded.