Ukrainian business is beginning to view energy storage systems not only as a backup power source during electricity outages, but also as a cost management tool and an investment asset. Such systems allow electricity to be accumulated during hours of lower prices and generate additional income from operating on the energy market.
Dominik Waligurski, sales department head at the Polish company E-Hub Energy, who has 14 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, said this in an interview with Forbes Ukraine.
According to him, approaches to the use of storage systems in Ukraine and European Union countries still differ. For Ukrainian enterprises, uninterrupted operation during power outages remains the primary task. At the same time, European companies more often use battery systems to optimize energy consumption and improve economic efficiency.
"In Ukraine, storage systems primarily help businesses maintain operational continuity during blackouts. Power outages mean production stoppage, loss of inventories and the risk of failing to fulfill contracts," Waligurski explained.
At the same time, the expert emphasizes that the potential of such systems is much broader than providing backup power. Enterprises that have their own solar or wind power plants can accumulate generated electricity and use it when the greatest need arises. This allows them to reduce dependence on electricity price fluctuations and manage energy resources more efficiently.
In addition, depending on the technical characteristics of the equipment, the operating model and access to relevant market segments, storage systems can be used to provide services to the power system. The main thing is to correctly calculate the economic model for using the equipment.
For example, a larger battery capacity does not necessarily mean a better return on investment. It is necessary to take into account the cost of electricity for charging, technological losses, cooling costs, gradual degradation of batteries, maintenance, insurance and project financing. Separately, one should assess the economic losses that an enterprise can avoid thanks to uninterrupted power supply.
Waligurski also noted that simultaneously using a storage system for backup power and the company's commercial tasks requires a compromise. Part of the charge has to be constantly kept in reserve in case of an emergency outage, which limits the possibilities of using the battery for savings or generating income.
The expert noted that the Ukrainian energy storage market is already demonstrating rapid growth. According to the European association SolarPower Europe, in 2025 Ukraine entered the top five largest European battery storage markets for the first time, installing almost 3 GWh of new systems.
According to Waligurski, over the next three to five years, storage systems will increasingly become part of comprehensive energy solutions that combine own generation, electricity storage and consumption management.
At the same time, according to the expert, one of the main barriers to the further development of the industry in Ukraine remains the availability of financing. Banks want to see projects with predictable cash flows, clear technical characteristics and risks that can be assessed.
Additional challenges for Ukraine are the protection of energy infrastructure in wartime conditions, risk insurance and predictability of the rules for operating on the energy market.
E-Hub Energy is a Polish manufacturer of integrated energy storage systems with headquarters in Warsaw and a production facility in Legnica. The company develops solutions for industrial enterprises, developers and energy projects. Ukraine is one of the company's priority markets.