Madrid 27 February 2026 – As Spain accelerates its renewable energy ambitions, the need for large-scale energy storage is becoming increasingly urgent. Return, Europe's leading renewable energy storage services, has acquired 80 MW / 318 MWh of ready-to-build battery energy storage capacity in Cataluña and Asturias, reaffirming its commitment to provide flex in the Spanish market through this pioneering M&A transaction.
The storage capacity will allow surplus electricity generated during periods of high solar and wind production to be stored and released when demand rises, helping to stabilise the grid and reduce pressure during peak hours. At full output, the system can deliver 80 MW of power to the grid, comparable to a mid-sized conventional power plant, while providing over 300 MWh of flexible storage capacity.
Advancing Spain's battery storage market
The BESS site named 'Crown' was developed to ready-to-build stage by Aquila Clean Energy, one of the more active players in Spain's renewable energy market. Through this transaction, Return and Aquila contribute to advancing large-scale battery storage in a market that is still in its early stages.
"This is a defining step for Return in Spain," said Steve Sceery, Head of Return Spain. "The Spanish power system is evolving rapidly. With this acquisition, we are laying the groundwork to become a long-term provider of flexible storage capacity. Our ambition is to have 800 MWh of standalone battery storage in operation in Spain by 2028."
Local impact and growing confidence
Backed by a European pipeline of 8 GW in development, Return is targeting at least 5 GW of operational storage capacity by 2030. Spain is a key pillar in that growth strategy.
The transaction reflects growing confidence in Spain's storage market, supported by increasing renewable penetration and improving regulatory clarity. Institutional investors are paying closer attention to battery storage as a core part of the energy transition infrastructure.
Tomás García, Head of Energy & Infrastructure Advisory, Iberia at JLL, said:
"This is a landmark transaction in the Spanish BESS market as it represents the first disposal of a utility-scale standalone battery storage portfolio. It is another first in the BESS industry for our team and demonstrates that JLL's proven leadership in BESS transactions across Europe is now firmly established in the Iberian market, where we are witnessing unprecedented investor appetite for energy storage assets."
Enabling a more flexible power system
Mario García Cañedo-Argüelles, Director of BESS & Hybrid, Spain at Aquila Clean Energy, added: "With this transaction, Aquila Clean Energy continues to contribute to strengthening Spain's energy system by bringing advanced storage capacity to the market."
JLL acted as exclusive financial advisor to Aquila Clean Energy on the transaction, supporting the structuring and execution of one of Spain's first utility-scale standalone battery storage portfolio sales. Ontier acted as legal advisor to Return.
With this first acquisition, Return signals its long-term commitment to Spain and its intention to play an active role in strengthening the country's energy infrastructure.
