In the context of global energy transition, the photovoltaic energy storage industry, as a key area to achieve efficient use of clean energy, is ushering in unprecedented development opportunities. With the advantages of technology, cost and industrial scale, China's photovoltaic energy storage enterprises are actively sailing to the sea, emerging in the international market, and writing their own brilliant chapter.
Background: The Call of the Global Energy Transition
As the global focus on climate change continues to grow, countries have set stringent carbon reduction targets to accelerate the transition to clean energy. As an inexhaustible source of clean energy, solar energy plays an increasingly important role in the global energy structure. The development of energy storage technology effectively solves the problems of intermittency and instability of solar power generation, enabling photovoltaic energy to be connected to the power grid more stably and reliably, providing strong support for the global energy transition. In this context, the demand for photovoltaic energy storage products in the international market has shown explosive growth, creating a broad market space for China's photovoltaic energy storage enterprises to go overseas.
The meaning of going global: the far-reaching impact of multiple dimensions
For China's photovoltaic energy storage enterprises themselves, going overseas is an important way to achieve enterprise scale expansion and technological upgrading. By participating in the international market competition, enterprises can get in touch with more advanced technology and management experience, and constantly improve their core competitiveness. Going overseas will also help enterprises expand sales channels, reduce market risks, and achieve diversified development. From the national level, photovoltaic energy storage enterprises going overseas is an important measure for China to promote energy diplomacy and enhance its international influence. China's technological and industrial advantages in the field of photovoltaic energy storage can provide clean energy solutions for other countries, promote global energy cooperation, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. At the same time, enterprises going overseas can also drive the development of related industrial chains, create more employment opportunities, and contribute to the high-quality development of China's economy.
Figure: Sailing to the sea, the global journey of China's photovoltaic energy storage enterprises
Success Story: China's Power to Shine Globally
CATL, the world's largest battery manufacturer and leading supplier of battery energy storage systems, was selected as the preferred supplier for the US$6 billion RTC project in Abu Dhabi. It will provide the project with a highly secure, long-life and highly integrated energy storage system, which not only demonstrates CATL's outstanding strength in the field of energy storage technology, but also lays a solid foundation for its further expansion in the Middle East market.
Sungrow also performs well in the international market. In November 2024, it signed a 4.4GWh energy storage cooperation agreement with Fidra Energy in the United Kingdom, involving two benchmark independent energy storage power stations in the United Kingdom, and will deploy 880 sets of Sungrow PowerTitan2.0 liquid-cooled energy storage systems. In December of the same year, it signed a cooperation agreement with Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation, a listed company in the Philippines, to provide 1.5GWh energy storage system and engineering support services. With its advanced technology and high-quality products, Sungrow has won wide recognition in the European and Southeast Asian markets.
Envision Energy signed a supply contract with EDF in December 2024 to supply battery energy storage systems for three independent energy storage projects in South Africa, with a total installed capacity of 257MW/1,028MWh, becoming the first GWh-level energy storage order in South Africa. This cooperation not only contributes to South Africa's energy transition, but also enables Envision Energy Storage to emerge in the African market.
Huawei signed an agreement with SP New Energy Corporation of the Philippines for a 4.5GWh energy storage project, which is one of the world's largest photovoltaic energy storage projects. With its advantages in technology integration in the fields of communications and energy, Huawei has provided strong support for the Philippines' energy development and further strengthened its position in the international photovoltaic energy storage market.
Cornex New Energy signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Cetari of Italy to establish a photovoltaic distribution and storage pilot project in Italy, and plans to achieve 20GWh - 30GWh energy storage project cooperation in 3 to 5 years. This cooperation opens a new chapter for Cornex New Energy to enter the European market and injects new impetus into its development in the international market.
Sunwoda signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Gryphon Energy Pty Ltd. to provide products for a project with a capacity of 1.6GWh in Queensland, Australia. The project will be delivered and connected to the grid in 2026, when Sunwoda will occupy an important place in the Australian energy storage market.
Future outlook: opportunities and challenges coexist
Although China's photovoltaic energy storage enterprises have made remarkable achievements in the process of going overseas, they still face many challenges in the future. The international market is fiercely competitive, and the policies, regulations and market environment of various countries are quite different, so enterprises need to continuously improve their technological innovation capabilities and market adaptability to cope with the complex and changeable international market. Factors such as trade protectionism and geopolitics may also have an adverse impact on enterprises going overseas. However, the opportunities are just as great. As the global energy transition accelerates, the demand for photovoltaic energy storage will continue to grow. Chinese enterprises should seize the opportunity to strengthen technology research and development and innovation, improve product quality and service levels, actively expand the international market, strengthen international cooperation, and jointly promote the development of the global photovoltaic energy storage industry.
China's photovoltaic energy storage enterprises have taken solid steps in the journey to sea and have achieved remarkable results. It is believed that in the future, these companies will continue to give full play to their own advantages, continue to innovate and forge ahead, shine more brightly in the global photovoltaic energy storage market, and make greater contributions to global energy transition and sustainable development.
