Breakdown of projected battery storage needed in Scotland at 2030 and 2050: EIR release
- Published
- 17 February 2026
- Directorate
- Chief Economist Directorate
- Topic
- Economy, Public sector
- FOI reference
- EIR/202500494797
- Date received
- 20 November 2025
- Date responded
- 17 December 2025
Information request and response under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
Information requested
A Freedom of Information Request from September 2024 asked "Can you provide the figure of how much Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is needed in Scotland, with regards meeting Net Zero in 2050. I am looking for the figure in Gigawatts."
They received this response: https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400433145/ which was related to NESO's 2024 Future Energy Scenarios Report.
The FES 2025 is now published but does not contain a breakdown of the projected Battery storage needed in Scotland at 2030 and 2050. Please could you provide the updated information related to the 2025 report.
Response
NESO’s Future Energy Scenarios (FES) 2025 publication is available at: Future Energy Scenarios (FES) | National Energy System Operator, and the accompanying data workbook can be found at: Future Energy Scenarios 2025 Data Workbook V005.xlsx
Using building block level data contained in the data workbook, the FES 2025 suggests that between 3.4-5.3 GW of battery storage could be required in Scotland by 2030, and between 7.8-8.7 GW by 2050. Please note that these ranges exclude the “Falling Behind” estimate, as this pathway does not meet Net Zero.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG