China to supercharge energy-storage tech with world-leading advancements by 2027
New plan calls for expansion of energy-storage applications, including more projects in desert areas and at retired coal-fired power plant sites
China, which already boasts the world’s largest energy-storage capacity, is set to nearly double that level by 2027, with an anticipated investment of 250 billion yuan (US$35 billion), according to Beijing’s latest action plan.
As outlined in the action plan, China’s “new-energy storage system” capacity – primarily based on lithium-ion batteries – is set to exceed 180 gigawatts within two years, up from 95GW as of June.
Released jointly by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Friday, the plan also aims to expand energy storage applications, encouraging projects in desert areas and retired coal-fired power plant sites.
Additionally, it pledged to develop alternative energy-storage technologies, including hydrogen storage, compressed-air energy storage, and sodium-ion battery storage.
“As China progresses towards carbon-peak and carbon-neutrality goals, new energy is growing rapidly, making energy storage essential for building a modern power system as a key tool for flexible power adjustment amid pressure for power supply in peak times,” the NEA said in a statement on Friday.
The latest action plan came as China’s energy-storage sector experiences growing demand from both domestic and international buyers.
In the first half of 2025, global shipments of energy-storage battery cells reached 240.21 GWh, marking a year-on-year increase of 106.1 per cent, according to InfoLink Consulting.