Surge in global demand for power storage solutions

Chinese battery cell manufacturers are ramping up production to meet a surge in overseas demand for energy storage solutions, fueled by the global transition to renewable energy and market-driven electricity pricing reforms.

Factories in Chongqing and Xiamen, Fujian province, of Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co have been operating at full capacity since March, with order books filled through October.

The industry is developing positively, with economies of scale gradually emerging and market awareness of energy storage steadily increasing, it was quoted as saying by Securities Times.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co, EVE Energy Co and Envision Group are also experiencing similar surges in demand, with production lines running at full capacity and customers facing extended lead times for orders.

Industry experts believe the robust demand underscores the critical role of Chinese manufacturers in the global energy storage landscape and highlights the challenges of scaling up production to meet rapidly growing needs.

A surge in global demand for energy storage solutions is fueling a boom for Chinese battery cell manufacturers, driven by the worldwide shift toward renewable energy and accelerated by government policies, said Ye Mingyuan, an energy storage analyst at Shanghai Metals Market, an industry monitor.

"The increasing demand for energy storage is a definite trend within the global green energy transition," Ye said.

He pointed to specific policies such as US tariffs, India's mandatory renewable energy storage requirements and Australian subsidies for household energy storage systems as key factors boosting market growth and subsequently driving up orders for battery cells.

Chinese companies are well positioned to capitalize on this demand, Ye said, citing their advantages in cost-effectiveness, large-scale production capacity, robust quality control and technical expertise, and the trust they have built with customers since the early stages of the market.

However, the boom may not last indefinitely. Ye forecasts that the surge in overseas demand could continue until 2026, assuming a detente in US-China relations and a resolution to the tariff situation.

He also cautioned about the potential for destructive price competition.

"Some regions overseas are already showing signs of price wars," Ye noted, warning that such "irrational price reductions" could erode the profitability of Chinese companies operating in overseas markets.

According to Sun Chuanwang, a professor at the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, as the energy storage market in China becomes increasingly crowded, domestic companies are shifting their focus to international expansion, with emerging economies becoming a key target.

This strategic move allows Chinese firms to leverage their technological advances and cost-competitive solutions in markets where demand is growing rapidly and competition is less intense, he said.

Sun suggests that this outward push is driven by a combination of factors, including heightened domestic competition, supportive government policies and the growing need for reliable and affordable energy storage solutions in developing countries.

These emerging economies often face unique challenges, such as unreliable grid infrastructure and a growing demand for electricity, making them ideal candidates for the deployment of energy storage technologies, he said.

According to CITIC Securities, the overseas energy storage market is poised for a significant demand surge as countries transition to renewable energy and increase the proportion of renewables in their energy mix.

Chinese companies hold a competitive advantage in the global energy storage supply chain, particularly in battery cells and energy storage systems, where they continue to gain market share, analysts at CITIC Securities said in a recent research note.

However, many overseas energy storage system integrators are heavily reliant on Chinese supply chains, leaving them vulnerable to potential policy uncertainties and operational challenges, it said.

The current market dynamics present a compelling investment opportunity in the overseas energy storage sector, particularly for leading Chinese manufacturers involved in battery cells, power conversion systems and system integration, the analysts added.

The surge in demand has been further amplified by the implementation of market-based pricing for renewable energy in China, which incentivizes the deployment of energy storage solutions to optimize grid integration and maximize revenue.

The "battery cell shortage "underscores the critical role of Chinese manufacturers in the global energy storage landscape and highlights the challenges of scaling up production to meet rapidly growing demand, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

The industry's rapid growth is fueled by a dynamic innovation ecosystem. Research and development is in a period of accelerated iteration, leading to continuous improvements and a wider range of energy storage solutions, he said.

"This rapid technological advancement is crucial for maintaining the industry's competitiveness in the long run."

Lin also addressed concerns about the current "price war" driven by intense competition within the sector, and warned that this price war not only erodes company profit margins, but also threatens the long-term sustainability of the energy storage industry.