Energy Storage Program

The Challenge

Energy transitions are underway in many countries, with a significant global increase in the use of wind and solar power playing a key role. To integrate variable renewable energy resources into grids, energy storage is key. Energy storage allows for the increased use of wind and solar power, which can not only increase access to power in developing countries, but also increase the resilience of energy systems, improve grid reliability, stability, and power quality.

At the Climate Action Summit in 2018, the World Bank Group announced its commitment of $1 billion to accelerate investments in battery storage to ramp up renewable energy in low and middle-income countries.

ESMAP's Response

ESMAP is supporting developing countries in deploying energy storage through providing access to concessional finance, technical assistance, and addressing key knowledge gaps through an international Energy Storage Partnership.

The Energy Storage Partnership (ESP) was convened to complement this investment initiative by supporting the sustainable scale up of energy storage, connecting stakeholders and sharing experiences in deploying energy storage in developing countries —the partnership brings together 34 partners worldwide. By having an international approach to research and development, knowledge sharing, training, and capacity building, the ESP helps bring new technological and regulatory solutions to developing countries, as well as help develop new business models that leverage the full range of services that storage can provide.

Learn more about The Energy Storage Partnership