CATL and Alfen to Deploy 5 GWh Sodium-Ion Battery Storage in Europe

Key facts

• CATL and Alfen will deploy 5 GWh of sodium-ion energy storage systems in Western Europe.
• The rollout is scheduled to begin in 2027.
• CATL's sodium-ion technology offers improved safety and cold-weather performance.
• The Tener Sodium system has a 25-year lifespan and a rated capacity of over 30 MWh.
• This partnership is CATL's first planned European deployment of its sodium-ion battery energy storage platform.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) and Dutch energy integrator Alfen N.V. have agreed to deploy 5 gigawatt-hours of sodium-ion energy storage systems across Western Europe, with deployments set to commence in 2027. This collaboration marks the first European rollout of CATL's sodium-ion battery technology, which is designed as an alternative to lithium-ion systems, offering enhanced safety, better performance in cold climates, and a hedge against volatile lithium prices.

The agreement, a memorandum of understanding, will see CATL's Tener Sodium energy storage systems integrated into Alfen's projects in the Netherlands and other Western European markets. CATL introduced its Tener Sodium system globally on June 22, 2026, and this partnership signifies a rapid move to expand the product beyond China into Europe's growing energy storage sector.

The Tener Sodium system boasts a 25-year lifespan and nearly 2% improved round-trip efficiency, which CATL states can enhance project economics for utility-scale developers. The system has a rated capacity exceeding 30 MWh and supports energy storage durations ranging from one to eight hours, allowing for flexible configurations tailored to renewable energy integration, grid balancing, and peak demand management.

CATL plans to begin initial deliveries of the Tener Sodium system in China in September 2026, with global commercial deliveries expected to start in June 2027. The company has invested approximately CNY 10 billion (EUR 1.2 billion) in sodium-ion battery research and development since 2016. Alfen, a key player in European energy infrastructure, gains access to a new battery chemistry, while CATL aims to gain operational experience with its sodium-ion batteries in European grid-connected applications and adapt to regional grid standards.

This partnership is positioned to support Europe's energy transition goals by offering diversified technology options for a zero-carbon energy system, potentially serving as a reference for future sodium-ion deployments in the region.