Boom in Battery Storage: A “Tsunami” of Applications at Mitnetz

Mitnetz Strom, Eastern Germany's largest electricity grid operator, is experiencing a flood of applications for the registration of new battery storage systems. This year alone, there were more than 10,000 such applications by mid-September, as the company reported in response to an inquiry from the German Press Agency. 

Only a very small portion—just under 650 projects—involves high-capacity systems exceeding one megawatt. However, these accounted for nearly 97 percent of the registered capacity. Managing Director Lutz Eckenroth describes the situation as a “tsunami” of applications. 

There is a “gold rush” atmosphere in the large-scale storage facility sector. In some cases, project developers are making money by reselling connection rights. One reason for this trend is the expiration of the grid fee exemption for storage operators. Under current law, facilities that go into operation by 2029 are exempt from grid fees for 20 years. To meet this deadline, investors must therefore “step on the gas” with newly planned facilities, said Eckenroth. 

Experts from the energy industry and politics are currently discussing the role of battery storage in the energy transition at the East German Energy Forum in Leipzig.