Hithium and Samsung C&T Join Forces for 10GWh BESS Projects

Hithium

Hithium, a manufacturer of battery energy storage systems (BESS), has announced a partnership with Samsung C&T, a South Korean engineering and construction firm. The collaboration aims to pursue multiple global energy storage projects with a combined capacity of up to 10GWh.

Hithium's Expanding Global Presence

Hithium has a strong track record, having delivered over 50GWh of BESS products in China and Eastern Europe.  The company recently entered the Australian market with a 640MWh project in partnership with utility-scale renewable energy developer Lightsource BP. 

While the specific timeline for the newly announced projects with Samsung C&T was not disclosed, this partnership signifies a major expansion of Hithium's global footprint.  Hithium Tech USA, a subsidiary of Hithium, is also investing $100 million in a new battery module and energy storage assembly plant in Mesquite, Texas. This facility will have a production capacity of 10GWh per year.

Energy Vault and Jupiter Boost Texas Battery Storage Capacity

Energy Vault

Expanding Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage in Texas

Energy Vault and Jupiter Power will add 100MW/200MWh of utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) to the Texas grid. The expansion builds on an existing 100MW/200MWh facility at a Jupiter site in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region, which is expected to begin commercial operations by late summer 2025.

The two companies have collaborated since signing a September 2022 deal to fast-track 2.4GWh of domestically qualified BESS. By increasing battery capacity, they aim to strengthen grid resilience, particularly in response to extreme weather events that have tested ERCOT’s stability in recent years.

Scaling Production and Supply Chain Integration

Austin-based Jupiter Power is developing 12GW of utility-scale energy storage projects across the United States, from California to Maine. In June 2024, Jupiter secured a 3GWh battery supply deal with China’s HiTHIUM, scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025. HiTHIUM is also establishing a 10GWh-per-year battery modules and systems plant in Mesquite, Texas, reinforcing domestic manufacturing capacity for large-scale storage projects.

The BESS expansion reflects growing demand for reliable renewable integration, enabling the grid to balance supply and demand more efficiently. By partnering with manufacturers and scaling local production, Energy Vault and Jupiter are positioning themselves as key players in the transition to a cleaner, more resilient US power grid.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The Energy Vault–Jupiter expansion underscores the accelerating deployment of large-scale storage to meet renewable integration challenges. The addition of domestic battery production in Texas could reduce supply chain risks and ensure faster deployment timelines. Success will depend on how efficiently these assets can be integrated into ERCOT’s operational framework.

Global Energy Storage Battery Shipments Surge in 2024

CATL

Global shipments of energy storage batteries experienced a significant increase in 2024, driven by rising demand and reduced manufacturing costs. According to Chinese research institute EV Tank, global shipments totaled 369.8GWh, reflecting a 65% increase from the previous year.

China Leads the Global Energy Storage Market

Chinese manufacturers played a dominant role in this surge, accounting for 93.5% of global shipments with a total of 345.8GWh. The growth can be attributed to China’s favorable incentive policies and the decreasing cost of battery cell production, which has bolstered shipments of energy storage batteries, particularly to the power industry. Energy storage systems in power grids remain the largest downstream market, with an 83.3% share of global demand in 2024.

Strong Growth Expected Through 2030

EV Tank forecasts that global energy storage battery shipments will continue to rise, reaching 1,550GWh by 2030. This growth will be fueled by increased demand from both traditional markets in Europe and the U.S., as well as emerging regional markets. The steady demand from these areas is expected to play a key role in driving the industry forward in the coming years.

Chinese Companies Dominate the Market

In 2024, eight of the top 10 global energy storage battery suppliers were Chinese companies. The market leader, CATL, held a 29.5% share, followed by EVE Energy, Hithium, BYD, and Envision. South Korean companies Samsung SDI and LGES ranked ninth and tenth, respectively. Tesla, a major player in the electric vehicle sector, is also making strides in the energy storage space. The company has started constructing a gigafactory for its energy storage battery, Megapack, in Shanghai. This 40GWh/year plant is expected to begin commercial production in February 2025.

Ronbay Secures Major Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode Order, Strengthening Market Presence

Ningbo Ronbay

Expanding Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode Production

Ningbo Ronbay, a leading Chinese battery cathode active material (CAM) manufacturer, has secured a 3,000-tonne order for sodium-ion battery cathode material from an undisclosed client. The company announced the deal on January 20, reinforcing its position as a key player in China’s sodium-ion battery market.

Ronbay has been heavily investing in sodium-ion cathode materials, committing 3 billion yuan ($413 million) in September 2023 to construct a 50,000-tonne-per-year production complex, which is set to launch by 2026. This investment aligns with the growing global demand for sodium-ion batteries, expected to reach 23GWh in 2025.

China’s Sodium-Ion Battery Industry Gains Momentum

China’s leading battery manufacturers, including CATL, BYD, and Hithium, have accelerated their sodium-ion battery production. BYD, for example, started construction on a 30 GWh per year sodium-ion battery plant in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, in early 2024. These expansions indicate increasing market confidence in sodium-ion battery technology, particularly for two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles, energy storage, and power applications.

The Chinese government has also actively promoted sodium-ion battery development as part of its 2021-2025 energy strategy, emphasizing the battery’s cost advantages, resource abundance, and environmental benefits compared to lithium-ion batteries. However, despite strong governmental backing, sodium-ion battery shipments in 2024 fell short of earlier expectations due to higher manufacturing costs compared to lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, according to Chinese research institution EV Tank.

Ronbay’s Role in the Growing Sodium-Ion Market

With this latest order, Ronbay strengthens its leadership in sodium-ion cathode production, ensuring steady market growth despite industry challenges. The company’s large-scale investment and expanding production capacity position it to capitalize on rising sodium-ion battery adoption while supporting China's push for alternative battery technologies.

As demand for low-cost and sustainable energy storage solutions rises, sodium-ion batteries could play a crucial role in diversifying the global battery supply chain, particularly as a viable alternative to lithium-ion technology.