Europe’s push toward renewable energy is accelerating a major expansion in battery storage, with new figures showing wide differences between countries already operating large-scale battery systems and those planning massive future growth.

According to Ember’s European and Türkiye Electricity Review 2026 reports, Germany currently leads Europe in operational battery capacity with 2.8 gigawatts (GW), followed by Italy at 2 GW. Batteries play a critical role in storing electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind power, helping stabilize national grids and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

A second group of countries has built capacities between 0.5 GW and 1 GW. Ireland has 0.92 GW, while Sweden stands at 0.75 GW. Bulgaria, France, Romania, Belgium, Finland and Netherlands also feature in the rankings with smaller operational systems already connected to the grid.

The picture changes sharply when planned projects are included. Turkey has emerged as Europe’s most ambitious battery market, with a project pipeline totaling 32.8 GW. That figure is more than triple the pipelines planned in Germany, Poland and Italy, each of which is preparing projects worth just over 10 GW.

Ufuk Alparslan, regional lead at Ember and author of Türkiye Electricity Review 2026, said investor interest surged after Turkish regulators opened unlimited grid capacity for storage-linked wind and solar projects.

If completed, Turkey’s planned projects would push its total battery capacity to almost 33 GW, placing it far ahead of every other European market. Germany would rise to 13.26 GW, while Italy and Poland would each exceed 10 GW.

Energy analysts say falling battery prices are helping fuel the rapid growth. Dr. Beatrice Petrovich, senior energy analyst at Ember, said grid-scale battery costs fell by 45 percent in 2025 compared with the previous year, continuing a decade-long trend of annual declines.

She added that stable government policy remains one of the biggest factors in attracting investment. Countries including Bulgaria, Italy and Spain have introduced measures that helped speed up battery deployment, while policy uncertainty in Germany has raised concerns among investors.

France remains among the weakest performers in battery expansion despite plans to more than double capacity to 1.12 GW. Analysts say the country’s heavy reliance on nuclear energy, which accounts for much of its electricity generation, has reduced pressure to invest aggressively in battery storage.

Questions also remain over whether Turkey’s full pipeline will eventually be completed. Analysts note that securing grid capacity does not guarantee projects will become operational, although the scale of planned investment highlights growing confidence in the country’s renewable energy sector.

The number of ultra-wealthy individuals in Europe has risen sharply over the past five years, with new figures highlighting both the scale of growth and the shifting geography of wealth across the region.

According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026, the population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) — defined as those with at least $30 million (€25.7 million) in assets — increased by 26% between 2021 and 2026. This growth added more than 37,000 new individuals to the ranks, bringing the total in Europe to 183,953.

Europe now accounts for just over a quarter of the global ultra-rich population, which stands at more than 710,000 people worldwide. The findings point to sustained wealth creation despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical pressures.

Germany continues to dominate the European landscape, with 38,215 UHNWIs, the highest number on the continent. The United Kingdom follows with 27,876, while France ranks third with 21,528. Switzerland and Italy round out the top five, with 17,692 and 15,433 ultra-wealthy individuals respectively.

Beyond these leading economies, the numbers drop significantly. Spain has 9,186 UHNWIs, while Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Turkey, Austria and Poland each report fewer than 7,000 individuals in this category. Many smaller European countries have populations below 3,000.

Germany also recorded the largest increase in absolute terms, adding more than 9,000 ultra-wealthy individuals over the five-year period. Switzerland, France and the UK also posted notable gains.

However, the fastest growth rates were seen in countries with smaller initial populations of ultra-rich individuals. Poland more than doubled its UHNWI population, recording a 109% increase. Turkey and Romania followed closely, with growth rates of 94% and 93% respectively. Greece, Czechia and Portugal also reported gains of at least 50%.

The report suggests that while wealth remains concentrated in major economic centres, it is also spreading more widely across emerging European markets. Analysts note that this reflects broader changes in global wealth distribution, with new regions gaining economic momentum.

Globally, the United States remains the dominant hub for ultra-wealthy individuals, accounting for more than half of the world’s total. At the same time, rising economic strength in countries such as India is contributing to a more diverse global wealth landscape.

The report also highlights changing behaviour among the ultra-rich. Increasing tax pressures, regulatory changes and geopolitical uncertainty are prompting many to spread their assets and lifestyles across multiple countries. Family offices are playing a growing role in managing investments, tax exposure and long-term planning.

As wealth continues to grow and shift, Europe remains a key centre, balancing established financial powerhouses with rapidly developing markets that are reshaping the region’s economic profile.

The government of Greece is preparing new legislation aimed at strengthening consumer protection in the retail banking sector, including a cap on how much borrowers must repay on certain loans.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined the proposal as part of a broader effort to curb what he described as unfair lending practices and unclear contract terms. The measures are expected to focus mainly on unsecured consumer loans and credit card debt of up to €100,000.

Under the plan, the total repayment amount — including interest and fees — would be limited to between 30 percent and 50 percent above the original loan amount. Officials say this approach aligns with practices seen in other European countries and is intended to create a more transparent and balanced framework for borrowers.

The proposal also includes a 14-day cooling-off period after signing a loan agreement, giving consumers the option to withdraw without penalty. Authorities believe this step will strengthen borrower rights and improve confidence in financial products.

The initiative comes as Greece’s consumer credit market continues a gradual recovery following years of contraction during the country’s debt crisis. Demand for loans has picked up since 2022, but borrowing costs remain relatively high compared with other types of credit.

Interest rates on consumer loans often exceed 10 percent, while rates on revolving credit products such as credit cards can rise above 14 percent. Economists warn that the combination of increased borrowing and elevated interest rates could heighten the risk of households taking on unsustainable levels of debt.

The government’s move forms part of a wider push to address concerns about banking practices. In recent years, customers have raised complaints about complex terms and conditions, as well as the cost of basic services such as transfers and account maintenance.

Authorities have also urged banks to offer better returns to savers during the period of rising interest rates, arguing that financial institutions have been slow to pass on benefits to depositors.

Despite these concerns, Greece’s banking sector has shown signs of recovery, with institutions returning to profitability after a period of restructuring and efforts to reduce non-performing loans.

Officials say the proposed measures are designed to strike a balance between supporting a stable banking system and ensuring fair treatment for consumers. If approved, the legislation could mark a significant step in reshaping the relationship between lenders and borrowers in Greece’s evolving financial landscape.