Polish BESS generated 3.5 million zł in revenue per 1 MW. The market may become saturated by 2029.
In May 2026, Poland was the most profitable market for large-scale energy storage in Europe according to Clean Horizon’s analysis. A typical 2-hour BESS with a capacity of 1 MW could generate an annual revenue of 3.5 million złoty, but the arrival of around 6 GW in new installations could quickly change these figures.
Storage earns primarily from readiness
Clean Horizon’s Storage Index does not show profit but rather an annual equivalent of gross revenue calculated based on the conditions of that month. In May, it exceeded 800,000 euros per 1 MW. It dropped to 529,000 euros in June, which is about 2.31 million złoty, rose to 581,800 euros in July, around 2.54 million złoty, and was 532,000 euros in August, approximately 2.32 million złoty.
From these amounts, the investor must deduct financing, installation costs, maintenance, fees, energy losses, and cell degradation. Nevertheless, the figures are impressive, especially since the battery does not earn money solely through arbitrage—meaning charging at low electricity prices and selling energy a few hours later. In August, the available price difference on the next-day market averaged 237 euros/MWh, which is over 1000 złoty/MWh.
Higher revenues currently come from services for the system operator. FCR is responsible for rapid response to frequency changes, aFRR automatically restores balance, while mFRR is activated manually. BESS receives compensation just for being ready, even if it does not complete a full charge and discharge cycle.
In May, reserving capacity in Poland’s aFRR cost an average of over 120 euros/MW/h. In June, the rate dropped to around 74 euros/MW/h, reducing the model revenues of storage systems by 35%. Therefore, today’s figures cannot be safely multiplied by 20 years of project operation.
According to URE’s analyses based on power market auctions for the 2027–2029 supply period, approximately 6 GW of storage systems could enter Poland’s system. Around 2 GW is expected to be deployed in 2028, with another 4 GW coming in 2029. More batteries competing for FCR, aFRR, and mFRR should lower service prices. Projects will need to make greater use of arbitrage, intraday markets, cooperation with renewable energy sources, tolling agreements, and serving large consumers.
European containers, Chinese cells
BESS suppliers are also eyeing the Polish market. The Swiss company Maxxen Energy has a factory in Aydın, Turkey, covering about 20,000 square meters with a nominal capacity of 5 GWh per year. In the first nine months of 2026, the company supplied 664 MWh of storage systems to 21 projects and estimates its share in the target European market at 5%.
Its DC Box can store around 5 MWh and can operate in conjunction with an MV Box capable of 2.5, 5, or 10 MW. Approximately 5,000 prismatic LFP cells supplied by the Chinese company Hithium are used within one container.
Thus, European assembly does not eliminate dependence on China. According to the International Energy Agency, China accounts for over 98% of LFP cell and cathode material production, with LFP chemistry making up more than 90% of batteries used in stationary storage systems.
The European Commission introduced the Industrial Accelerator Act in March, which allows for “Made in EU” criteria and emission standards in public procurement and state aid. A Battery Booster Facility worth 1.5 billion euros was also launched to provide interest-free loans to battery manufacturers in Europe.
However, a factory will not solve the problem of a lack of local materials, graphite, machinery, and sufficient scale. Therefore, an investor purchasing a storage facility for several decades or over 20 years should consider not only the cost per MWh but also the number of cycles, degradation, efficiency, spare parts, and downtime. When several additional gigawatts start competing for the same capacity in 2029, it will be these parameters that determine which projects can remain profitable.
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