US energy storage developers added 9.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new battery capacity in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, the highest level ever recorded for a quarter, with a 32% year-on-year (YoY) increase, Reuters said, citing an industry report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ​and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

This comes despite federal actions the industry says are slowing clean energy development.

The report estimates more than 610 GWh of storage additions by 2030.

The SEIA attributed rising demand for energy storage capacity to the expansion of data centers, sharp swings in electricity prices, and ongoing disruptions in global gas and turbine supply chains.

Major technology firms such as Google and Meta have announced agreements this year to secure tens of thousands of megawatt-hours of storage capacity to power data centres essential to running advanced AI systems.

The solar industry is contending with tariff pressures and a halt in approvals for large-scale projects under the Trump administration, part of a broader energy agenda prioritizing oil, gas, coal, and nuclear power.

The solar industry is grappling with tariff pressures and a suspension of approvals for large-scale projects under the Trump administration, reflecting a policy agenda that emphasizes oil, gas, coal, and nuclear energy.

The report indicated that 467 solar and storage projects remain stuck in the permitting process, leaving them vulnerable to potential delays or even cancellations.

“If federal ‌permitting ⁠bottlenecks persist, household electric bills will continue to rise, and China will surge further ahead in the race for AI leadership,” the report said.

Adequate energy storage can protect consumers from fuel price volatility, reduce electricity costs, and reinforce overall grid reliability, he said.

Texas, Arizona, and California led utility-scale installations during the quarter, with more than 70% of the added storage capacity located in states carried by US President Donald Trump..