Chinese lithium producers Ganfeng and GCL boost energy‑storage output amid AI data‑center surge

Ganfeng Lithium said its production capacity is fully booked through the first half of 2027, citing strong demand for lithium‑ion batteries used in energy‑storage systems (ESS) and rapidly expanding artificial‑intelligence data centres. President Wang Xiaoshen noted the company plans to raise output by 50 % next year and that orders come from both domestic and overseas markets, driven by volatile energy prices and the growth of power‑hungry AI facilities.

Separately, solar‑module maker GCL Technology announced it is launching a lithium‑ion battery storage business based on lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) chemistry, marking a shift toward a multi‑product new‑energy platform beyond its traditional photovoltaic operations. Both moves reflect China’s broader push to scale battery‑based storage as renewables and AI data centres require stable power supplies.

Global ESS shipments of lithium‑ion batteries reached about 550 GWh in 2023, a three‑fold increase from the previous year, underscoring the rapid market expansion.