Report Information - Report Title: Nickel Daily Report [1] - Date: August 1, 2025 [2] - Research Team: Non - ferrous Metals Research Team [3] - Researchers: Yu Feifei, Zhang Ping, Peng Jinglin [3] Core Viewpoint - On the 31st, black - series commodities tumbled, and Shanghai nickel showed weakness, closing below the 120,000 mark again. The main contract 2509 closed down 1.79% at 119,830, with the total open interest of the index increasing by 11,234 to 190,329 lots. The nickel surplus pattern remains unchanged, and prices declined again after the cooling of macro - sentiment. The overall surplus pattern of nickel is still significant, and the nickel price is temporarily regarded as weak [8]. Section Summaries 1. Market Review and Operational Suggestions - **Market Performance**: On the 31st, black - series commodities fell generally, and Shanghai nickel was weak. The main 2509 contract closed down 1.79% at 119,830, and the total open interest of the index increased by 11,234 to 190,329 lots [8]. - **Supply - side Situation**: There are expectations of loose supply from the mining ends in the Philippines and Indonesia, and the probability of subsequent decline in ore prices is high. Under the pressure of losses, some production lines in Indonesia have switched to producing high - grade nickel matte, driving a slight recovery in the low - level nickel - iron price. On the 31st, the average price of 8 - 12% high - nickel iron was reported at 912.5 yuan per nickel point, but the acceptance of high - price nickel ore remains low [8]. - **Demand - side Situation**: The stainless - steel market is still weak, in the traditional off - season of consumption with high inventory. As the nickel - iron price rises, some downstream enterprises prefer to purchase scrap stainless steel for production, and the acceptance of high - nickel pig iron prices is also poor. The price of battery - grade nickel sulfate remained flat at 27,370 yuan per ton on the 31st, and it stopped falling and rebounded in the short term supported by the rigid replenishment demand of precursors and the low inventory of nickel salt plants [8]. 2. Industry News - **Indonesian Investment**: Indonesia's national investment management agency Danantara is exploring investment opportunities in the nickel downstream industry. It is considering acquiring the PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI) smelter. Danantara expects to prepare an investment plan of over $20 billion and provide about $60 million in medium - term financing through a syndicated loan [9][10]. - **Battery Energy Storage**: Bulgaria officially launched the largest - scale operating battery energy storage system in the EU, with a capacity of 124 megawatts/496.2 megawatt - hours. Renewable energy storage company Apatura has obtained planning permission for a 100 - megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Scotland, and its approved total energy storage capacity has exceeded 1.6 gigawatts [10]. - **Solar Cell Innovation**: A research team in Turkey developed a TOPCon solar cell using nickel (Ni) contacts with almost no silver (Ag), achieving nearly the same efficiency while significantly reducing silver usage, which is expected to reduce production costs and improve sustainability and scalability [10].

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided. 2. Core Viewpoints - The nickel market remains in an oversupply situation, with the short - term market dominated by macro logic. The overall oversupply pattern is still significant, and the nickel price is expected to be weak. The upstream nickel ore supply is expected to be loose, the support from iron plants and stainless steel is limited, and the battery - grade nickel sulfate price has rebounded. [7] 3. Summary by Directory 3.1行情回顾与操作建议 - The main contract of Shanghai nickel, 2509, closed down 0.85% at 121,800, and the total open interest of the index decreased by 3,705 to 174,585 lots. [7] - The supply of nickel ore from the Philippines and Indonesia is expected to be loose, and the ore price is likely to fall. [7] - The support from nickel iron plants and the stainless - steel market is limited. The cost of nickel iron plants is high, and some Indonesian production lines have switched to producing high - grade nickel matte. The stainless - steel market is weak due to the traditional off - season and high inventory. [7] - The price of battery - grade nickel sulfate continued to rise, reaching 27,370 yuan/ton on the 29th, supported by the rigid replenishment demand of precursors and low inventory of nickel salt plants. [7] 3.2行业要闻 - Indonesia's Danantara is exploring investment opportunities in the nickel downstream industry, considering acquiring the GNI smelter. It plans to prepare an investment plan of over $20 billion and provide about $60 million in medium - term financing through a syndicated loan. [8][10] - Bulgaria has launched the largest operating battery energy storage system in the EU, with a capacity of 124 MW/496.2 MWh. [9] - A research team in Turkey has developed a TOPCon solar cell with nickel contact and low silver usage, which can significantly reduce production costs. [9] - Apatura has obtained planning permission for a 100 - MW battery energy storage system project in Scotland, with a total approved storage capacity of over 1.6 GW. [9]

Core Insights - Elements Green has secured £140 million in debt financing for its 360MW/720MWh battery storage project in Staythorpe, Nottinghamshire, marking a significant milestone in its transition to a large independent power producer (IPP) [1] - Gresham House Energy Storage Fund (GRID) has raised £8.6 million in equity investment to expand its Glassenbury battery project, increasing its storage capacity from 38 MWh to 110 MWh [2] - GRID anticipates a 22% increase in its share of EBITDA over the project's lifecycle due to the expansion, with a positive impact on the net asset value (NAV) expected to be reported in September 2025 [3] Group 1: Elements Green - The Staythorpe project is under construction and is expected to be operational by mid-2027, providing essential grid balancing capabilities and supporting the UK's long-term net-zero emissions goals [1] - The project has a solid commercial foundation, including a 15-year capacity market contract and a long-term revenue guarantee agreement with EDF, enhancing its financing capabilities [1] - Mitie is responsible for engineering and construction services, utilizing the latest battery storage technology from Hecate Energy [1] Group 2: Gresham House Energy Storage Fund (GRID) - The Glassenbury project expansion has received planning approval, with construction set to begin in July and completion targeted for December 2025 [2] - The new equity investment allows UAB E Energy Invest (EEI) to acquire a 35% stake in the Glassenbury project, while GRID retains a 65% indirect ownership [2] - GRID plans to initiate seven additional expansion projects in 2025 and early 2026, funded through refinancing, which will significantly enhance the overall value of its portfolio [3] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - GRID has signed a series of revenue optimization agreements with Statkraft for its existing 412MW battery storage asset portfolio, ensuring minimum income guarantees to support further expansion and refinancing [4] - Statkraft will leverage its expertise in asset optimization and algorithmic trading to enhance the performance of GRID's asset portfolio, which now exceeds 3GW under management in the UK [5]

Report Summary 1. Industry Investment Rating No relevant information provided. 2. Core View - On July 23, the nickel price shifted to narrow - range fluctuations as the continuously surging varieties adjusted, indicating emerging market divergence. The nickel surplus pattern remains unchanged, and price pressure persists. With the approval of additional RKAB quotas in Indonesia, nickel ore supply will be abundant, and there is room for a decline in premiums and ore prices. Although the ferronickel price has slightly rebounded, most smelters in Indonesia are still at a loss, and the production reduction after the conversion to high - grade nickel matte is limited, providing limited price support. Stainless steel is in the traditional off - season with high inventories, and it is difficult to support the raw material end. The sulfuric acid nickel price remained flat. Overall, the nickel fundamentals have not changed significantly, and the subsequent support from the ore end may weaken. Currently, the macro - sentiment dominates the market, and the nickel price is temporarily strong, but the rebound space should be viewed with caution [7]. 3. Summary by Section 3.1行情回顾与操作建议 (Market Review and Operation Suggestions) - On July 23, the SHFE nickel 2509 closed at 123,370, down 0.06% from the previous day, and the total index positions decreased by 2,860 to 173,672 lots. The nickel market's excess situation remains, and price pressure exists. The supply of nickel ore will be loose, and there is room for a decline in premiums and ore prices. The ferronickel price has a slight rebound, but most Indonesian smelters are still at a loss, and the support for prices is limited. Stainless steel is in the off - season with high inventories, and it is difficult to support the raw material end. The sulfuric acid nickel price remained at 27,250, and it is expected to stop falling temporarily. The overall performance of each industrial link is weakening, and the support from the ore end may loosen. The macro - sentiment currently dominates the market, and the nickel price is temporarily strong, but the rebound space should be treated with caution [7]. 3.2行业要闻 (Industry News) - The Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI) revealed that Indonesia's actual nickel ore production in 2025 was only 120 million tons, far lower than the approved RKAB quota of 364.1 million tons in the first half of the year. The low utilization rate of the quota was due to the rainy season in major mining areas. In the first half of the year, Indonesia imported 4.6 million tons of nickel ore from the Philippines. Since January 2025, the cost pressure on Indonesia's nickel industry has been increasing due to policies and taxes. APNI is formulating ESG regulations to enhance its international reputation [8][10]. - Bulgaria launched a 124 - megawatt/496.2 - megawatt - hour battery energy storage system, marking a step towards its goal of deploying 10,000 megawatt - hours of battery energy storage capacity within a year [10]. - A Turkish research team developed a TOPCon solar cell using nickel contact with almost no silver, which significantly reduces silver consumption while maintaining high efficiency, potentially reducing production costs [10]. - Renewable energy storage company Apatura obtained planning permission for a 100 - megawatt battery energy storage system project in Scotland, which will help the region achieve its energy and emission - reduction goals [10].

Core Insights - The number of operational battery storage systems in Germany has surpassed two million, with a total installed capacity of 14.535 GW and usable storage capacity nearing 22.1 GWh as of mid-2025 [1] - The majority of these systems are residential photovoltaic storage systems, with 1.967 million units contributing 11.5 GW of installed power and approximately 18.3 GWh of storage capacity [1] - The expansion of battery storage is driven by market demand, highlighted by instances of negative wholesale electricity prices [2] Summary by Sections Current Status - As of mid-2025, Germany has nearly two million operational battery storage systems, with a total installed capacity of 14.535 GW and usable storage capacity of about 22.1 GWh [1] - Residential photovoltaic storage systems dominate the market, with 1.967 million units and a total installed power of 11.5 GW [1] - Medium-sized storage systems (20 kW to 1000 kW) consist of 14,827 units with a total installed power of 663 MW and storage capacity exceeding 900 MWh [1] - Large battery storage systems number 323, providing approximately 2.35 GW of power and nearly 2.9 GWh of storage capacity [1] Recent Additions - In the first half of 2025, over 250,000 new battery storage systems were added, with nearly 2 GW of new power and 3.55 GWh of new storage capacity [1] - Small residential photovoltaic storage systems accounted for the majority of new additions, with 251,948 units contributing 1.34 GW of power and nearly 2.7 GWh of storage capacity [2] - Medium-sized systems added 2,418 units, totaling 117.7 MW of power and 160 MWh of capacity [2] - Eco Stor launched a large battery storage system with a power capacity of 103.5 MW and 238 MWh of storage, representing about one-third of the new large storage capacity [2] Future Outlook - The trend of storage expansion is expected to continue, with 19,720 systems currently in the planning stage, aiming for a total installed capacity of nearly 4.7 GW and storage capacity exceeding 9.4 GWh [3] - Planned systems include 18,653 small storage systems (20 kW or less) with a total power of 126.7 MW and 515.6 MWh of capacity, 627 commercial storage systems with 97.9 MW and 171.6 MWh, and 440 large storage systems with nearly 4.35 GW and 8.72 GWh of capacity [4]

Core Viewpoint - CATL has secured a significant supply agreement with Vanda RE for a total of 2.2 GWh of battery energy storage systems, marking a strategic expansion in Southeast Asia's renewable energy sector [1][3]. Group 1: Project Details - The project, located in the Riau Islands of Indonesia, includes the development of a solar and storage project with a planned 2 GW solar power plant and a 4.4 GWh energy storage system, which will become one of the largest integrated solar-storage projects in Southeast Asia [3][4]. - The battery storage systems will be produced at CATL's factory in West Java, Indonesia, which has a total battery production capacity of 15 GWh [3][4]. - This project is part of the Indonesia-Singapore "Green Economy Corridor," highlighting its strategic importance in regional energy interconnection [3][4]. Group 2: Market Position and Performance - CATL's overseas energy storage orders have reached 47.6 GWh since 2025, reflecting a growing demand for clean energy solutions globally [4]. - According to SNE data, CATL is projected to hold a 36.5% global market share in energy storage battery shipments in 2024, maintaining its position as the market leader for four consecutive years [4]. - In 2024, CATL's energy storage battery system sales are expected to reach 93 GWh, contributing approximately 57.29 billion yuan to the company's total revenue, which accounts for 15.83% of total revenue [4]. Group 3: Industry Growth Trends - The global energy storage market is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected 42.2% increase in new installations in 2025, reaching 266 GWh [5]. - In the first half of 2025, the global battery storage system market added 86.7 GWh of new capacity, representing a 54% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [5]. - The growth rate of the energy storage market is exceeding industry expectations, indicating a new phase of accelerated expansion [5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a portfolio growth of 65% over the last twelve months and 7% over the last quarter, reaching a total of eight gigawatts, with a goal of 10 gigawatts by the end of 2025 [1] - The cash balance at the end of Q2 was approximately NOK 373 million, with zero debt and a strong cash position [7][40] - The average annual return on equity since 2020 has been 22%, with a capital distribution program that includes dividends and share buybacks [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The portfolio in Italy grew by 125% during the quarter, reaching close to 450 megawatts [2] - The company has initiated a new sales process for a combined 500 megawatts of onshore wind and solar projects in South Africa [3] - The company is focusing on battery energy storage systems (BESS) and expects to see high returns on best projects, trading above €200,000 per megawatt [9][41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Sweden, there were 500 hours of negative prices in Q2, with expectations of 2,000 hours annually, creating opportunities for best projects [4] - Wholesale prices in the Nordics are currently the lowest in Europe, returning to levels seen in 2020 due to various factors including weather and demand [5] - The data center market in the Nordics is projected to consume 62 terawatt-hours by 2050, indicating strong future demand [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company maintains an asset-light business model with a focus on project development rather than construction, aiming for a five times return on projects [7][14] - There is a strong emphasis on early sales and maintaining a robust cash position to negotiate effectively with clients [14][16] - The company is exploring new markets while being cautious about entering new territories without established sales [39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted strong regulatory support for renewable energy in Europe, particularly in Germany and Italy, which is expected to drive growth [6] - The company anticipates signing numerous new projects in Italy and Germany, as well as continued growth in South Africa [11][20] - Management expressed optimism about the sales process and the potential for high returns in the onshore wind market in South Africa [34] Other Important Information - The company has completed the transition to become 100% renewable by selling its remaining shares in Hermana Holding [1] - There are ongoing discussions regarding grid agreements and project developments in various markets, including Germany and the UK [19][30] - The company is assessing data center opportunities that align with its existing portfolio, indicating a strategic fit for future growth [26][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for the company's growth in new markets? - Management indicated a cautious approach to entering new markets, focusing on securing sales in established markets first [39] Question: How does the company plan to manage costs moving forward? - The company is closely tracking costs and expects improved supply chain conditions to ease expenses [40] Question: What are the expectations for project development in Germany? - Management noted strong interest from major clients in Germany and the potential for significant project development due to high electricity prices [31][32]

Core Insights - The export scale of China's energy storage lithium batteries is projected to reach 200 GWh in 2024, with power storage lithium batteries accounting for 85% of the exports [1] - By 2030, the total export volume of China's energy storage batteries is expected to grow to 560 GWh, indicating a continued upward trend in the market [1] Export Breakdown - In 2024, the export proportions of different types of energy storage lithium batteries are as follows: - Power storage lithium batteries: 85% - Household storage lithium batteries: 13% - Portable storage lithium batteries: 2% [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the green development initiatives in Zhifu District, Yantai, focusing on the transformation of traditional industries and the promotion of emerging industries to achieve high-quality, low-carbon growth [4][5][6]. Group 1: Innovation and Emerging Industries - Zhifu District is leveraging its advantages to drive the transformation of old and new kinetic energy, fostering the development of emerging industries [4]. - The district's digital virtual power plant is integrating various adjustable power resources to balance supply and demand, enhancing the capacity for renewable energy consumption [4]. - The cloud storage energy technology company is innovating battery storage systems to achieve "essential safety" [4]. - The smart roll-on/roll-off terminal at Yantai Port is utilizing intelligent transfer equipment for efficient logistics operations [4]. Group 2: Economic Growth and Policy Support - Zhifu District is actively cultivating new enterprises, with plans to nurture 27 innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and 18 specialized and innovative SMEs by mid-2025 [5]. - The district is organizing companies to apply for national-level "little giant" enterprises and specialized small and medium-sized enterprises [5]. - The district has established a risk monitoring and early warning platform, covering over 40,000 enterprises, enhancing safety management through digitalization [6]. Group 3: Talent and Innovation Ecosystem - The demand for specialized and innovative talent is increasing as green industries thrive, with Zhifu District optimizing talent services and providing housing support [9]. - The district aims to attract over 12,000 young talents annually, leading the city in talent acquisition [9]. - Various competitions and innovation events are being held to stimulate green innovation [9]. Group 4: Urban Development and Cultural Integration - The district is transforming old industrial sites into creative spaces, reducing waste and environmental pressure while enhancing quality of life [11]. - New cultural and creative projects are being developed, integrating tourism and ecological resources to create new consumption hotspots [12]. - The district is promoting a multi-dimensional tourism experience by merging industrial heritage with cultural activities [12]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Zhifu District is committed to continuing its green development journey, combining innovation and upgrades to create a sustainable urban environment [13].

Group 1: AI Digital Sports Development - AI digital sports is rapidly developing, leveraging technologies such as visual recognition, skeletal computation, and big data analysis to enhance student athletic performance and ensure fairness in assessments [1][2] - Henghongda (Fujian) Sports Technology Co., Ltd. has made significant advancements in AI sports equipment, serving over 1,000 schools and impacting more than 5 million students [2][3] - The digital sports industry is expected to exceed a market size of 150 billion [3] Group 2: Financial Support for Innovation - Construction Bank has provided tailored financial support to Henghongda, including a 790,000 yuan loan to address funding gaps during its AI technology development phase [2][3] - The bank has implemented a comprehensive evaluation system for technology enterprises, enhancing credit limits to approximately 5 million yuan and offering preferential loan rates [3][4] - As of May, the bank's loans to technology-related industries reached 91.2 billion yuan, with an increase of 10.6 billion yuan in the current year [3] Group 3: Integration of Technology and Finance - Fujian banking sector is actively integrating technology and finance, providing full-cycle support to innovative entities through product innovation and service model breakthroughs [5][8] - Fuxin Futong Technology Co., Ltd. focuses on Beidou satellite technology, offering various services and products, including a Beidou positioning shoe for elderly safety [5][6] - Hengfeng Bank has established a specialized service system for high-tech SMEs, resulting in a 141.18% year-on-year growth in technology financial loans by the end of 2024 [7][8] Group 4: Upgraded Financial Products - Postal Savings Bank has upgraded its financial products to meet the diverse needs of companies like Feimaotui Group, which is expanding into the energy storage sector [9][10] - The bank provided a 50 million yuan "Science and Technology Innovation Loan" and nearly 200 million yuan in bill discounting services to support the group's operations [9][10]