Qi Huo Ri Bao·2025-11-13 00:27Core Insights - The recent strong rebound in lithium carbonate prices has brought the energy storage industry back into the market spotlight, highlighting its critical role in the green energy system and new power system construction [1] - The new energy storage sector in China is experiencing rapid development, with significant policy support and increasing market demand, particularly for lithium batteries [2][3] Industry Development - As of September 2023, China's new energy storage installed capacity exceeded 100 million kilowatts, accounting for over 40% of the global total, making it the largest in the world [2] - The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration have set a target for new energy storage capacity to reach over 30GW by 2025, indicating a clear growth trajectory for the industry [2] - The new energy storage market is expected to grow significantly, with a target of 180GW cumulative installed capacity by 2027, marking a new phase of dual-driven development by policy and market forces [3] Demand for Lithium Carbonate - The demand for lithium carbonate is shifting from supplementary to core demand due to the rapid expansion of energy storage installations [6] - Each GWh of lithium-ion storage battery consumes approximately 0.8 to 1.0 million tons of lithium carbonate, with projections indicating that energy storage could account for over 30% of global lithium carbonate demand by 2025 [6] - The energy storage market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 24% from 2025 to 2030, significantly impacting lithium carbonate demand [7] Market Dynamics - The surge in energy storage demand has led to a significant increase in orders for related companies, with a reported 308 overseas energy storage contracts signed by Chinese companies in the first nine months of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 131.75% [4][5] - The production of energy storage cells in China reached 355.1GWh in the first three quarters of 2025, a 57.5% increase year-on-year, driven by strong order demand [8] Challenges in the Industry - Despite the growth potential, the energy storage industry faces challenges such as intensified competition, safety risks, and uncertainties in profitability models [10][11] - The industry is experiencing price wars, with nearly 30% of system integrators selling below cost in the first half of 2025, which compresses profit margins and raises safety concerns [12] - The reliance on government subsidies for profitability poses risks, especially for companies like Hai Chen Energy, which faced significant declines in revenue and profit due to policy changes [13] Future Outlook - Industry experts emphasize the need for improved market mechanisms, technological innovation, and safety standards to ensure sustainable growth in the energy storage sector [14]