Output and installed capacity
China's energy storage battery output exceeded 420 GWh in the first half of 2026, up 110% year on year, according to figures released at the 2026 World Energy Storage Conference in Ningde, Fujian, on October 15.
As of the end of June 2026, cumulative installed new-type energy storage capacity exceeded 153 million kilowatts, a 50-fold increase from the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
Industrial chain and technology mix
China has built a complete new-type energy storage industrial chain spanning raw material smelting, battery manufacturing and system integration, with self-sufficiency in key production equipment above 90%.
The sector has developed a multi-technology structure led by lithium battery storage, alongside sodium battery, flow battery and compressed air storage. New-type energy storage now serves new energy grids, industrial and commercial power use, data centers and transportation.
Market role and competition
Independent energy storage has become the main driver of growth in the new-type energy storage market, with large-scale and long-duration projects taking a rising share. New-type energy storage has moved from a supporting role attached to renewable energy projects to an independent power market participant able to trade energy on its own.
Several provinces have accelerated the introduction of local implementation rules this year to underpin market-based operation of new-type energy storage. Competition is shifting from price wars to value, and the overseas model is moving from product exports toward localized manufacturing, compliance and green supply chains.