锂“腰”崛起，西部“大佬”瞄准世界级

Core Insights - The 2025 World Energy Storage Conference in Ningde, Fujian, highlighted China's position as the largest new energy storage market, marking a shift towards a fully market-oriented phase in the energy storage industry [1] - Lithium-ion battery storage accounts for 96.4% of the installed capacity in China, indicating its dominance in the new energy storage market [1] - The discovery of the "Asian Lithium Belt," spanning 2,800 kilometers across four provinces, has significant implications for lithium resource availability and the lithium supply chain [1][6] Industry Developments - The Sichuan region is identified as a key area for lithium resources, with proven reserves accounting for over 50% of the national total [3] - The "Asian Lithium Belt" has revealed over 6.5 million tons of lithium resources, with potential exceeding 30 million tons, enhancing China's global lithium reserve ranking from sixth to second [7] - Investment in Sichuan's lithium battery industry has surged, with its share of national investment rising from 8% in 2019 to 18% in 2021, making it the province with the largest investment in lithium projects [8] Market Trends - The demand for lithium batteries is expected to grow significantly, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate of 53.13% for lithium iron phosphate materials from 2022 to 2025 [16] - Sichuan's lithium battery production is projected to reach 165 GWh by 2024, increasing its national market share from one-sixth to one-fifth [10] - The establishment of a comprehensive lithium battery industry chain in Sichuan is anticipated to generate over 500 billion yuan in output value by 2025 [10] Regional Dynamics - The lithium industry in Sichuan is evolving into a collaborative ecosystem, with cities like Suining and Yibin leading in lithium resource processing and battery production, respectively [12][13] - Suining has become a hub for lithium salt production, while Yibin has rapidly developed a complete battery manufacturing ecosystem, significantly boosting local GDP contributions [15] - The provincial government is promoting new exploration strategies to enhance lithium resource supply, focusing on high-quality mining and technological advancements [18] Challenges and Solutions - Despite the growth, challenges such as high extraction costs, environmental regulations, and low-grade resources persist, necessitating strategic measures to ensure domestic supply [16] - The Sichuan government is implementing policies to address structural issues in the lithium industry, aiming to balance low-end and high-end production capacities [18][19]