China's new-type energy storage sector is poised for transformative growth, with cumulative installed capacity projected to surpass 370 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, according to the Energy Storage Industry Research White Paper 2026. The report, unveiled at a Beijing energy expo this week, highlights the rapid acceleration of storage infrastructure as the country advances its dual-carbon goals.
Newly added capacity reached 66 GW in 2025—a 51.9% year-on-year increase—bringing total installed capacity to 136 GW by the end of last year. This represents an 84% annual growth rate and a fortyfold expansion since the conclusion of the 13th Five-Year Plan period.
Chen Haisheng, head of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, noted that storage duration is critical as renewable energy adoption grows. "By 2030, average storage duration will rise from 2.58 hours to 3.47 hours," he stated, emphasizing improved grid stability for solar and wind integration.
Experts underscore energy storage's revolutionary role in power system modernization. Liu Yafang, former deputy director-general of China's National Energy Administration, stressed that storage solutions are essential for market viability: "New energy cannot enter the market without storage, and revenue generation depends on it."
The findings signal opportunities for overseas investors and businesses as China prioritizes technological innovation to balance energy security with decarbonization targets.
