The Energy Storage Industry Research White Paper, produced by non-profit industry association the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA), has suggested that China could add around 30.1GW of new energy storage capacity in 2024, a drop of almost 4.5GW from 2023’s total of 34.5GW. 

That figure is at the lower end of the whitepaper’s estimated range, however, with a more “ideal” landscape allowing for potential capacity growth of up to 19%, the CNESA suggests. That would see added capacity hit 41.2GW this year. 

Most of any growth in capacity is expected to be in the field of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery energy storage. 

Estimates suggest that China’s cumulative installed capacity could hit a total of 195.75GW by 2030. 

China is the world leader in the global production of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and Li-ion battery plants. Half of Asia’s 16 upcoming battery energy storage projects – which themselves represent 59% of the world’s planned projects – are set for development in China. 

The country plays host to multiple huge projects including the Shujiatang BESS, which has a rated power of 100,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), and the Hubei Yingcheng Compressed Air Energy Storage System Set I, with a rated storage capacity of 150,000kWh. 

Multiple other projects are in the pipeline, including the 2.4 million-kilowatt Kubuqi Desert Project.