Jakarta, INTI - Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) has launched a new sodium battery storage system and is expected to begin shipping it to the Chinese market in September.
The TENER system is designed for longer life and better adaptability to extreme temperatures. The total shipment will reach one gigawatt-hour by the end of this year, CATL stated in Munich on Monday, June 22, 2026. Global deliveries will begin in June 2027.
In April, the Chinese battery manufacturer and technology company unveiled technology that uses sodium as the primary raw material in batteries, instead of the traditional lithium.
The company subsequently signed a three-year agreement to supply 60 gigawatt-hours of sodium-ion batteries to power equipment manufacturer Beijing HyperStrong Technology Co, their first strategic partnership using the technology.
Competition in Sodium Battery Industry
This development underscores CATL's dual-track strategy of developing lithium and sodium battery technologies simultaneously. This strategic shift has been further strengthened by the rebound in spot lithium carbonate prices this year, which has increased the cost competitiveness of sodium batteries.
Sodium also offers supply chain advantages due to its global abundance, helping to reduce dependence on lithium imports.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) stated that 2026 could be a defining year for sodium batteries, as this technology begins to challenge the dominance of lithium-ion batteries and has the potential to gain market share.
Conclusion
CATL will begin shipping its TENER sodium battery storage system in September 2026, with a target of reaching one gigawatt-hour of total shipments by the end of the year and global expansion by June 2027. The technology uses sodium as the primary raw material as an alternative to lithium, offering a longer life. This technology underscores CATL's strategy of developing lithium and sodium batteries, as sodium batteries become increasingly competitive.
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