The work required to move a charge from infinity to a specific point against an electric field is used to calculate the potential energy of an object placed in an electric field. If a distance of separates two charges, and , the system's electric potential energy is: .
In electrostatics, the same outcomes are obtained whether the energy is viewed as being stored in the separated charges or as being stored in the electric field. We are free to adopt either viewpoint.
Electrical energy
The electric field itself does not provide the alleged energy. The interaction between charges and the electromagnetic field produces energy. When a capacitor is charged, charges build up on the capacitor plates, and the insulator between the plates prevents opposing charges from getting too close to one another.
Due to the interaction of their electrostatic fields, like charges repel one other, acting like a spring that can store energy when squeezed. By giving opposing charges a path to go along, the charges balance each other out.