During the panel discussion “Storage and asset management: drivers of energy security in Southern Europe” at FES Iberia 2025, Donají Martínez, EU ESS Senior Sales Manager at Jinko ESS, made it clear that storage can no longer be viewed as a supporting feature—it has become a critical component of the energy system.

“We currently have storage requests for PV projects totalling 10 gigawatt-hours, and far more beyond that,” Martínez stated, stressing that this shift in volume stems from a structural transformation: storage is no longer a tool for arbitrage—it is now strategic infrastructure.

From the perspective of Jinko ESS, the storage division of global solar leader Jinko Solar, the trend is unmistakable. “The market no longer seeks batteries simply for energy shifting or tipping—it demands fully integrated, modular, and bankable solutions,” Martínez explained. She pointed out that clients—including Matrix Renewables and Light Source BP—are prioritising turnkey solutions that deliver reliable returns and meet evolving regulatory requirements.

Technological evolution reshaping the business model

Storage has gained not just strategic relevance but technological maturity. According to Martínez, recent cell innovations have significantly extended system lifespans. “We are reaching 11,000 cycles with our PRO cell,” she noted, adding: “We currently offer two solutions—8,000 and 11,000 cycles—where just a few years ago, the standard was 5,000.”

This evolution has a direct impact on project bankability and long-term performance. “We’re no longer talking about annual guarantees—we’re talking about performance and availability guarantees that let clients use cycles according to their operational strategy,” Martínez clarified.

Technology selection is equally strategic. “Although new chemistries are emerging, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) remains dominant because banks understand it, finance it, and trust its proven reliability,” she asserted.

Modularity, scalability and financial structuring

In line with the market’s demand for flexibility and scale, Jinko ESS is investing in modular systems capable of adapting to diverse project sizes without compromising safety. “We’re seeing solutions ranging from 5 to 12 MWh that operate like Lego blocks. We’ve chosen a mid-range standard for safety reasons,” Martínez explained.

This modular design is also key to unlocking financing. Martínez emphasised that Jinko ESS works closely with banks and investors to ensure project viability. “We offer that flexibility and walk hand-in-hand with lenders so they understand the product, its profitability and its technical resilience,” she said.

A market that demands clear regulatory signals

Martínez stressed that while capacity mechanisms and subsidies should not be the only financial levers, they are increasingly being incorporated into financial models. “Capacity mechanisms and grants are already making projects bankable, alongside market spreads,” she explained.

She cited a recent price spread in the Iberian Peninsula as an example. “Just yesterday, the price spread reached €145. This allows business models to be built on three solid revenue streams,” she said, referencing arbitrage, balancing services, and capacity mechanisms.

From her perspective as a technology provider, Martínez called for regulations to better reflect the role of storage. “Storage should be treated as a flexible asset, not conventional demand,” she stated, describing this regulatory misalignment as a key bottleneck to market expansion.

A strategic outlook on storage’s role

The message from Jinko ESS is unequivocal: storage must be seen not as an optional feature but as a foundational pillar of Europe’s energy transition. To scale the sector, it will be essential to combine robust technology, modularity, tailored financing, and coherent regulation.

“We need regulatory frameworks that enable participation in markets and reflect the true value of electricity scarcity,” Martínez concluded. And the industry, she affirmed, is ready to meet that challenge: “We’re working at full capacity.”

Watch the full panel on Future Energy Summit’s YouTube channel: