Alfen and CATL partner on 5 GWh sodium‑ion storage deployment in Europe
- Alfen and CATL will deploy 5 GWh of CATL sodium‑ion battery energy storage systems across Europe.
- The firms expanded a long‑term lithium‑ion supply partnership that began in 2023 with further terms in 2024.
- Alfen says sodium‑ion will diversify its battery material mix, optimise costs and reduce exposure to lithium price volatility for mid‑to‑large tenders.
- CATL aims to gain localised European grid application experience for sodium‑ion batteries and adapt products to European grid codes.
Partnership scope
Alfen and CATL announced a collaboration to deploy 5 GWh of CATL's sodium‑ion battery energy storage systems across Europe, positioning sodium‑ion as a next‑generation, lower‑cost alternative to lithium‑ion for grid storage.
Background
The companies have an existing working relationship on lithium‑ion storage; a long‑term battery supply partnership was established in 2023 and expanded in 2024 to meet Alfen's increasing European deployment needs.
Strategic rationale
Alfen plans to diversify its battery materials portfolio, optimise the cost structure of its energy storage products and strengthen resilience against lithium price volatility to improve competitiveness in mid‑to‑large scale project tenders. CATL expects joint deployments to build localised European grid application experience for sodium‑ion cells, help adapt products to European grid codes, and accelerate global scaling of sodium‑ion shipments.
Outlook
The two companies say the agreement opens new business opportunities beyond traditional lithium‑ion supply and will jointly push for large‑scale adoption of sodium‑ion storage to support renewable integration and Europe’s energy transition.
Source: CATL
