Jakarta, INTI - China has gradually taken a dominant position in the global energy transition area with its long-duration energy storage (LDES). Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which typically only store electricity for about four hours or less, LDES technology is designed to store and deliver electricity for hours or even days.
As the contribution of intermittent renewable energy to the global electricity supply increases, the need for LDES becomes increasingly crucial to maintain a balance between supply and demand. In this context, China is one step ahead of other countries.
According to a BloombergNEF report released on Monday, March 2, 2026, global LDES capacity expanded by 9.6 gigawatt-hours last year, an increase of about 30% compared to 2024 levels.
LDES Projects Are Mostly Located in China
BNEF analysts believe China's dominance is driven primarily by supportive local government policies. In 2023, Beijing included LDES as a key element of its national net-zero roadmap.
A year later, China's energy regulator launched 56 pilot projects, fueling the sector's rapid growth. Additionally, China established significant leadership in other climate technologies, from solar panels to hydrogen.
Globally, there are 422 gigawatt-hours of LDES projects in the planning stage, with 95% of them located in China. Meanwhile, only 2% of planned projects are in the US, placing it far behind.
Conclusion
China leads the global energy transition area with its LDES technology development, which can store and deliver electricity for days. Backed by the government’s support, China has become the home of 95% LDES projects.
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