Is China entering a new era of energy storage demand?

Mainland China accounts for most of the global energy storage demand, driven in the near term by regional requirements for new utility-scale wind and solar projects to include energy storage capacity. However, the Chinese market is entering an era of change.

What drives energy storage project development?

Globally, energy storage project development is increasingly driven by the utility-scale segment, with mandates and targeted auctions driving gigawatt-hour projects in markets like China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Australia and Chile.

Does BNEF still expect a strong demand for batteries?

Nonetheless, BNEF still expects strong demand for batteries, as the policy doesn’t explicitly require mandates to stop. Since the policy announcement, some provinces across China have continued to announce mandates stipulating that new solar and wind projects must be paired with batteries.

Should energy storage be removed from energy grid connection?

For energy storage, the new Chinese policy emphasized the need to remove energy storage as a prerequisite for renewable energy project grid connection, a requirement that has been a major driver for battery build. Nonetheless, BNEF still expects strong demand for batteries, as the policy doesn’t explicitly require mandates to stop.

How does BNEF's higher tariff scenario affect construction?

BNEF’s higher tariff scenario, at 145%, leads to between 51% and 74% lower build annually between 2025 and 2027 relative to BNEF’s base-case scenario. With higher-than-expected costs, supply contracts are being renegotiated, projects are being delayed and canceled.