Installed ESS capacity in China has grown every year, as the country pledges to achieve net-zero by 2026, and with installed renewable energy capacity continually increasing. In 2021, China saw over 2.3 GW of installed electrochemical ESS capacity, a 50% YoY increase.
In 2023, after the substantial rise in annual installed capacity, the growth of grid-connected capacity is expected to slow, increasing by 37.2% year-on-year to 120 GW. As renewable energy installations surge, China's wind and PV curtailment tick up. Given that, several local authorities pose higher energy storage configuration ratio requirements.
To meet the demand from its power system, China will have to cumulate 460 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2030, among which 350 GWh shall be battery or electrochemical energy storage, and 110 GW pumped hydro storage.
Clearly, the predominant types of energy storage installations in China at present are still mandated installations for renewable energy and standalone energy storage. The primary driver behind the surge in domestic energy storage installations is the mandatory installation requirements.
China's electrochemical energy storage capacity grew rapidly, with 5 GWh added in 2021 (an 89% year-on-year increase) and 15.3 GWh added in 2022 (a 206% year-on-year increase).
In 2023, Europe may add 17 GWh of installed energy storage capacity, with 9 GWh in the residential sector. Overall, China, the U.S., and Europe saw installed capacities growing at varying paces in the first half of 2023.