To improve national grid stability, the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a new directive requiring all large-scale renewable energy projects to integrate energy storage systems (ESS).
Jinko ESS SunTera 5MWh Passes Stringent Large-Scale Fire Test, Validating Safety Boundaries
Jinko ESS, a global leading energy storage solution provider and a subsidiary of Jinko Solar Co., Ltd., recently announced the successful completion of a large-scale fire test for SunTera 5MWh Liquid-Cooling Energy Storage System. Conducted at a specialized testing facility in Suzhou City, Anhui Province, the test followed the CSA C800 standard and the November 2025 draft of UL 9540A and was witnessed on-site by CSA Group representatives and North American fire protection engineers.
Sharp Pullback! User-Side Energy Storage Additions in January Down 58% Year-on-Year
10.9 GWh! Newly Added New-Type Energy Storage Capacity in January Doubled Year-on-Year
Major Breakthrough Achieved in the R&D of the World’s First and Most Powerful Single-Unit Compressed Air Energy Storage Compressor
Recently, China has achieved a major breakthrough in the research and development of compressed air energy storage(CAES) technology . Developed jointly by the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences(IET, CAS) and ZHONG-CHU-GUO-NENG(BEIJING)TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD., the world’s first CAES compressor with the largest single unit power has successfully passed the third-party testing accredited by CNAS. According to the test results, the compressor achieved maximum discharge pressure of 10.1MPa, a maximum power output of 101MW and an operating range of 38.7% to 118.4% under variable conditions and an efficiency of 88.1% at maximum discharge pressure, reaching an internationally leading level.
Key Energy Storage Standards to Watch in 2026 Highly Recommended for Industry Reference
500MWh！BYD Energy Storage Has Commissioned Its Largest Energy Storage Project in East Europe
On January 8, 2026, a 500MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System(BESS) project located at Maritsa East 3 in Bulgaria was officially commissioned. The project was the jointly developed by BYD Energy Storage and ContourGlobal under their strategic collaboration which is one of the largest standalone energy storage projects in East Europe.
Tianneng Signs a 1GWh Project in Malaysia, Build a benchmark for Integrated “Solar- Storage- Computing”Solutions
Recently, Tianneng Group signed a strategic agreement with NASDAQ-listed company VCIG Group. The two parties will build a 1GWh AIDC solar energy storage power station in Malacca, Malaysia. The project aims to address the high-energy-consumption challenge of AIDC and will be developed under an “EPC+F” model.
Amazon buys 1.2GW Sunstone solar-plus-storage project from bankrupt Pine Gate
Annual Power Cost Savings Exceed RMB 60 Million ! Great Power’s 107MW/428MWh Hydropower-based Aluminium User-side Energy Storage Project is Commissioned
RMB 180 Billion! China Southern Power Grid Hit a New High for Investment in 2026
Expanding effective investment is a key lever for stabilizing growth and improving people’s livelihoods. According to China Southern Power Grid, the company has embarked RMB 180 billion for fixed-asset investment in 2026, marking a record high for fifth consecutive year, with an annual growth rate of 9.5%. Investment will be directed primarily toward the development of a new-type power system, the growth of strategic emerging industries and the enhancement of high-quality power supply services, providing solid support for a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
CORNEX Secures a 6GWh Energy Storage Order in Egypt, Successfully Expanding Into the North African Market
On January 16th, Cornex New Energy signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Egypt-based partners WeaCan and Kemet.
The agreement was signed by Dai Deming, chairman of Cornex New Energy and Ahmed Salaheldin Abdelwahab Elabd, Chiarman of the Board of Kemet. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Moustafa Kamal Esmat Mahmoud, minister of Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, along with other government officials and senior executives from relevent enterprises.
100MW/200MWh! Sineng Electric Supports Commissioning of Phase I of Nanlang Energy Storage Power Station
The Phase I 100MW/200MWh Nanlang energy storage power station, supplied by Sineng Electric, has now been successfully commissioned and put into operation. As the first large-scale standalone energy storage project on the grid side to be completed and commissioned in Zhongshan, China, the facility not only injects enhanced flexibility into the regional power grid, but establishes efficient and reliable revenue mechanism through an innovative frequency regulation service model.
500MW/200MWh! JD Energy’s First GWh-Level Project Successfully Grid-Connected
In December 2025, the 500MW/2000MWh energy storage project was successfully grid-connected in Dengkou, Inner Mongolia. The energy storage station, standing proudly under the winter sun, is the first GWh-level project delivered by JD Energy. It not only set a new record for the scale of a single project but marked a significant milestone in the company’s development with its outstanding construction achievements.
2025 Marks the First Year of Mass Production for Large Energy Storage Cells! 500Ah+ Mass Deliveries, ESIE 2026 Energy Storage Expo Invites Global Buyers to Explore New Opportunities
2025 marks a pivotal year for the energy storage industry. The large energy storage cells, which were once limited to “theoretical parameters”, will officially bid farewell to the technical competition phase and enter the practical testing stage of capacity release, yield improvement, and project implementation. Leading enterprises like CATL, EVE, Envision, HTHIUM, and SUNWODA have successively achieved mass production and delivery, and with the intensive landing of GWh-level strategic cooperation and accelerated expansion into overseas markets, this marks the transition of large-capacity cells from lab prototypes to commercial applications. The speed at which energy storage systems are evolving to higher energy density and lower cost has far exceeded industry expectations.
Sungrow’s First Energy Storage Plant in the Middle East Launched，with an Annual Capacity of 10 GWh
Egypt has taken a major step toward accelerating its clean energy transition, as Chinese energy storage leader Sungrow and Norwegian renewable developer Scatec partner with the Egyptian government to deliver large-scale solar+storage projects and establish the Middle East’s first battery energy storage manufacturing base, with a planned annual capacity of 10 GWh.
4.8 GWh Installed: Beijing KeRui Supports the Grid Connection of Two Major Grid-Side Energy Storage Projects in Inner Mongolia, Chi
China Mingyang Longyuan’s First 100MW/400MWh High-Voltage Cascade Independent Energy Storage Project Achieves Full-Capacity Grid Connection
Mingyang Longyuan has built a major milestone in China’s energy storage sector with the successful full-capacity grid connection of its first 100MW/400MWh high-voltage cascade independent energy storage project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. The project’s commissioning highlights the company’s technological strength in large-scale, high-efficiency, and highly reliable energy storage solutions, while reinforcing the critical role of advanced storage systems in supporting grid stability and renewable energy integration.
12.8 GWh Energy Storage Cluster Connected to the Grid AI-Powered Energy Storage Reshapes the Future of New Power Systems
The world’s largest single-site electrochemical energy storage power station—the Envision Jingyi Chagan Hada Energy Storage Power Station—was successfully connected to the grid, completing a 12.8 GWh AI-powered energy storage cluster in Inner Mongolia. The project sets new global benchmarks for scale, grid-connection speed, and system reliability, while demonstrating advanced grid-forming capabilities that enable rapid commissioning, deep grid interaction, and large-scale renewable integration.
Breaking Through the Waves and Going Global! Hear the New Expectations from Overseas Markets for China’s Energy Storage
Source: CNESA
On December 3-5, 2025, the 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit and the Preliminary Round of the 10th International Energy Storage Innovation Competition, hosted by the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) and co-hosted by Xiamen University, Kehua Digital Energy, and Cornex New Energy, was successfully held in Xiamen.
As CNESA’s flagship concluding event of the year, this summit was anchored in the southeastern coastal region - a strategic hub linking global markets - and was themed “Breaking Waves · Coexisting - Shaping a New Global Energy Storage Ecosystem for 2026.” It brings together senior representatives from energy investment institutions, project developers, asset owners, and EPC companies from Saudi Arabia, Australia, Denmark, Austria, Bulgaria, India, and other countries for in-depth engagement.
International guests focused on topics including project implementation, cooperation models with Chinese companies, grid connection and interconnection standards, and industrial chain collaboration, collectively presenting the global market's genuine expectations of - and directions for cooperation with - China's energy storage industry.
Europe:
Focusing on building long-term partnerships rather than
engaging in short-term transactions.
Renalfa IPP - Chief Investment Officer (Austria / Bulgaria)
Kalina Pelovska
Renalfa IPP is a leading independent power producer in Europe, with more than 5.6 GW of renewable energy assets deployed across Central and Eastern Europe.
“Investment decision-making has evolved from a singular focus on levelized cost of energy to a comprehensive evaluation of system reliability and revenue stability. The strengths of Chinese energy storage companies are expanding from pricing advantages to delivery efficiency, technical responsiveness, and long-term stability. We look forward to jointly cultivating the Central and Eastern European (CEE) energy storage asset market with Chinese companies through joint ventures and co-investment models, building long-term partnerships.”
Solarpro Technology AD - Head of Energy Storage Division (Bulgaria)
Gabriel Nenov
Solarpro is a major EPC contractor and energy storage project developer in Southeast Europe, with extensive experience in PV+BESS projects across Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, and other countries.
“The energy storage market in Eastern Europe is rapidly taking off, but complex grid-connection rules and diverse approval processes place very high demands on information transparency and depth of technical communication. Large-scale projects of 200 MWh and above are becoming mainstream. The Eastern European energy storage market is optimistic about deep collaboration with Chinese partners at the inverter, battery cell, and EMS integration levels. Through standards alignment and early-stage design coordination, project bankability and execution certainty can be significantly improved.”
Australia:
Not Just Batteries, but “Plug-and-Play” System Solutions
Green Gold Energy - Head of Energy Engineering Department (Australia)
Alessandro Wei
Green Gold Energy is a leading renewable energy developer and EPC contractor in Australia, with extensive experience in developing large-scale photovoltaic and battery energy storage projects across South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and other regions.
“In the Australian market, the Chinese energy storage supply chain has already built a high level of trust. Looking ahead, there is a stronger expectation for entry through system-level solutions rather than standalone equipment - integrated coordination across PCS, BMS, EMS, and grid-connection models. Australia’s energy storage business model is shifting from frequency regulation-led applications to a parallel model combining medium- to long-duration energy storage arbitrage and capacity assurance, placing higher demands on overall system compliance, long-term O&M capabilities, and localized services. Grid-forming technologies, validation of grid-connection models, and technical confirmation prior to tendering will become key levers for China-Australia collaboration.”
Middle East:
Focusing on long-duration energy storage and system integration
capabilities
Aramco Ventures - President of China Strategic Investments (Saudi Arabia)
Rongtao Sun
Aramco Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Saudi Aramco - the world's largest energy company - is accelerating its global investments in renewable energy, hydrogen, energy storage, and advanced materials.
“The global energy system is rapidly evolving toward a more diversified structure, with energy storage becoming a critical foundational asset. Large-scale energy base projects in the Middle East and North Africa impose higher thresholds for long-duration energy storage, system integration capabilities, and project-level reliability. China holds significant advantages in energy storage manufacturing capacity, industrial clustering, and supply chain completeness. Going forward, we will pay closer attention to the maturity of Chinese energy storage companies in safety standards, long-term operations and maintenance, project documentation systems, and global delivery capabilities. Through joint investments, demonstration projects, and localized deployment, we aim to promote deeper levels of cooperation.”
Nordic Region:
Strong emphasis on full life-cycle services and close coordination
with the power grid
DRSOLAR Denmark ApS - Chief Executive Officer (Denmark)
Salomon Martens
DRSOLAR is a Danish renewable energy system integrator and distributor, with long-term engagement in battery energy storage sales and system services across Nordic and European markets.
“In Denmark and the broader Nordic region, demand for energy storage is shifting from simple grid-connection support to system services and flexibility resources. The market increasingly emphasizes system safety, full life-cycle services, and the ability to collaborate with grid operators. Chinese energy storage products are competitive in performance and delivery. If further alignment can be achieved in certification standards, after-sales systems, and localized technical support, their market penetration will be significantly strengthened.”
RJS Construction ApS - Chief Operating Officer (Denmark)
Robert Kraszewski
RJS Construction is a Danish engineering and EPC service provider involved in the construction and delivery of multiple renewable energy and energy storage projects across Europe.
“From an EPC perspective, European projects place greater emphasis on engineering feasibility and on-site adaptability. Energy storage systems must fully consider construction, commissioning, and O&M conditions during the design phase. Chinese companies perform strongly in modular design and manufacturing efficiency. If closer coordination can be established with local EPC teams, project delivery efficiency can be significantly improved while risks are better controlled.”
India:
Seeking Partners to Scale from Pilot Projects to Full Deployment
At the Energy Storage CEO Summit, representatives of Coca-Cola’s Indian bottling operations expressed clear interest in collaboration. Their purpose for attending was highly practical: “In India, energy storage is booming, so we want to explore this for our company.”
Their demand stems directly from the company’s energy transition efforts. They have already built dedicated solar power plants for their own operations, and their current focus is to use battery energy storage systems to replace grid electricity during peak hours, achieving a better balance between solar generation and energy storage.
Regarding cooperation, they outlined a clear roadmap: “Maybe we can start the pilot project in India. And once if we will find it good, we would scale it up in India and do a business over there with the help of China.” They also explicitly noted that they regard the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) as an important support platform in this field and attended the summit specifically to seek connections through CNESA.
As a key prelude to the 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo (ESIE 2026), this year’s China Energy Storage CEO Summit delivered a clear message through its high level of international participation and practice-oriented agenda: the global market not only recognizes China’s manufacturing strength in energy storage, but also expects deeper collaboration across technology standards, ecosystem development, and long-term value creation.
As Chinese energy storage companies further integrate into the global energy system, a new ecosystem built on co-creation, co-development, and shared growth is taking shape. This is no longer merely about exporting products, but a collective journey of technologies, standards, and cooperative models going global together.
CENSA Upcoming Events:
Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo
Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.
