CATL and Alfen agree to deploy 5 GWh sodium‑ion storage in Europe

China's CATL and Dutch renewable‑energy integrator Alfen have signed a memorandum of understanding to install 5 GWh of sodium‑ion battery energy‑storage systems across the Netherlands and other Western European markets, with deployments beginning in 2027. The agreement introduces CATL’s Tener Sodium system to Europe; the modules have a 25‑year lifespan, about a 2 % improvement in round‑trip efficiency, and can work alongside lithium‑iron‑phosphate batteries, offering flexibility against lithium‑price volatility.

The partnership follows CATL’s global launch of the Tener Sodium solution in June, which offers capacities over 30 MWh and configurable storage durations of 1 to 8 hours. Initial deliveries to China are slated for September 2026, reaching 1 GWh by the end of that year, and the first European shipments are planned for June 2027.

CATL has invested roughly 5 billion yuan to build 40 GWh of sodium‑ion production capacity in Fujian province, aiming to gain local experience for grid applications and accelerate large‑scale adoption of the technology. Alfen’s CEO Michael Colijn highlighted the move as a step toward a more diversified and resilient energy‑storage portfolio, while CATL’s Tan Libin emphasized the safety and lifecycle advantages for European customers.