Power in Reserve

Power in Reserve: How Storage Is Changing Solar’s Role

Q1 2025 Energy Considered’s 5,000 key opinion leaders (KOL) referred to solar 484 times a modest drop from Q4 2024, but enough to keep solar firmly at the centre of the energy transition debate. Consultants drove much of the discussion, followed closely by fund managers, while media coverage was split evenly between specialist outlets and the mainstream press.

The enthusiasm is clear: tech giants such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have contracted more than 12 GW of solar worldwide, enough to rival the energy systems of smaller nations. Brad Kramer (Managing Editor at Benjamin Media Inc.) captured the mood, noting that “the scale of these commitments rivals the generation capacity of entire nations.” Still, as Energy Considered has highlighted, ambition does not always match reality. In the U.S., around 40% of data centre electricity continues to come from natural gas.

The pressure to change is mounting as AI reshapes energy demand. New siting plans in Texas show solar being bundled with storage to serve hyperscale AI data centres. In the GCC, projects such as Oman’s Barka-5 desalination plant highlight how solar is becoming essential to water and digital infrastructure. Yet fossil back-up remains critical, raising questions about whether corporate “100 % renewable” claims can keep pace with 24/7 server loads.

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Power in Reserve: How Storage Is Changing Solar’s Role - Quarter 1 2025

Case for tracking:

Speculations about solar energy carry on from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025. Never-the-less, solar projects remain prominent, especially in the GCC (Oman, Saudi, etc.). While still dependent on traditional means to combat intermittency, solar remains the most scalable renewable energy available, and thus still a key player in global energy transition.

Several new projects to reduce Solar’s intermittency are under the works, with considerable advancements in energy storage systems (ESS), new battery technology, etc. In the US and GCC, solar is being promoted as an integral part of new data centres.

Volume of Mentions from Energy Considered’s Key Opinion Leaders:

Unlock Full Access to this Insight

To continue reading this briefing and explore deeper insights, register for access to our Energy Insights Portal. Inside, you’ll find:

  • Extended editorial briefings with in-depth analysis and empirical data drawn from 5,000 of the world’s most influential commentators on the energy industry on key issues shaping the energy sector.
  • Monthly and quarterly data identifying and tracking how energy industry leaders are engaging with critical topics.
  • In depth research explaining why energy industry leaders are engaging with these key issues and providing the context and framework for further exploration.
  • Quantitative primary research conducted with responses from energy industry leaders on our panel, providing unique answers to the issues affecting the global energy industry.
  • Power BI dashboards offering dynamic exploration of 5,000 energy key opinion leaders, social and digital narrative analysed against 14 strategic and tactical energy industry metrics.
  • Expert interpretation of what these issues really mean to the industry and what decisions can be taken on the back of unprecedented empirical evidence.
See our Solutions Get in Touch

Please to access exclusive research and data-driven analysis.