1. EU Restricts High-Risk Inverters, Including Energy Storage PCS in Funding Limitation Scope
According to ESS-News on May 4, the European Commission has decided to restrict the use of inverters from “high-risk countries” including China, Russia, Iran and the DPRK in EU-funded projects. The restriction covers solar, wind power and battery energy storage projects, applicable to funds from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (EIF).
The policy took effect on May 1, 2026, and has been notified to financial institutions, though not yet officially released. Around €2 billion renewable energy financing from the EIB will also be subject to the new rules.
Chinese manufacturers currently hold approximately 70% of the global market share for battery storage and PV inverters, with an over 80% share in the European market.
2. BNEF Tier 1 Ranking Updates: Rising Chinese Players, 7 Firms Exited in Q2 2026
BloombergNEF (BNEF) released the Q2 2026 Tier 1 Global Energy Storage System Integrator Ranking. A total of 66 companies are listed, up 47% YoY. Chinese enterprises account for 56 entries, making up around 85% of the total.
Thirteen new Chinese players joined the list in Q2 2026, including Youtai Digital Energy, Xinyuan Smart Storage, Xuji Electric, Windar Energy, Honeycomb Energy, Sunhome New Energy, Electrician Times, Guoxia Technology, Ganfeng Lithium, Longjing Battery and Far East Battery.
Meanwhile, seven companies exited the Tier 1 ranking: Cairui Energy, Haibo Sichuang, East Power, Wanbang Digital / Star Charge, NR Electric, GoodWe and Gotion New Energy.
3. Gotion High-Tech 2025 Total Shipment Hits 100 GWh, Energy Storage Accounts for 28%
On May 6, Gotion High-Tech disclosed investor relations information. The company’s total power and energy storage battery shipment reached approximately 100 GWh in 2025, up 57% YoY, with continuous growth expected in 2026.
In 2025, Gotion High-Tech completed the delivery and grid connection of multiple domestic and overseas energy storage projects. Energy storage business accounted for about 28% of its annual total shipment.
4. Shaanxi Green Energy Storage Launches First 3777Ah LFP Energy Storage Cells
Shaanxi Green Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Shaanxi Environmental Protection Industry Group, officially rolled out its first batch of 3777Ah lithium iron phosphate energy storage cells.
The launch marks the full completion and official operation of the intelligent production line for 3777Ah large-capacity cells, entering formal mass production phase.
Certified by the National Quality Supervision and Inspection Center for Energy Storage and Power Batteries, the cell’s overall performance exceeds national standards. It sets a new global capacity record for commercial LFP energy storage cells. Professional testing shows the actual capacity reaches no less than 3900Ah with round-trip efficiency above 95% and stable performance.
5. Industrial & Commercial Storage Startup Duoneng Tech Secures Series A Financing Led by GCL Group
Duoneng Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. completed hundreds of millions of RMB in Series A financing, led by GCL Group. Founded in September 2023, Duoneng Tech focuses on industrial and commercial energy storage, with a core founding team from Huawei Digital Power.
GCL Group has built a full industrial chain layout covering materials, system integration and power station operation. According to its annual report, GCL Technology achieved operating revenue of RMB 14.425 billion in 2025, down 4.5% YoY.
The company recorded a net loss of RMB 2.868 billion, narrowing the loss by 39.6% YoY. Gross profit turned positive at RMB 1.336 billion, with gross margin improving from -16.6% to 9.3% year-on-year.
6. IRENA: Wind-Solar-Storage Costs Lower Than Fossil Fuels
According to the latest report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hybrid wind-solar-plus-storage solutions can now deliver reliable, cost-effective 24/7 power supply.
In regions with superior renewable resources, the levelized cost of electricity for solar-plus-storage ranges from USD 54–82 per MWh, compared with USD 70–85 per MWh for new coal-fired power plants in China and over USD 100 per MWh for new global gas-fired power plants.
7. Lithium Carbonate Price Nears RMB 200,000/Ton, Pressuring Large-Scale Energy Storage Projects
On May 8, spot battery-grade lithium carbonate price neared RMB 200,000 per ton. UBS also upgraded its 2027 lithium price forecast to RMB 280,000 per ton, a 47% upward revision.
Driven by soaring lithium prices, more than 200 energy storage projects across China have been suspended or cancelled since 2026, involving at least 6 GWh of capacity.
According to Haibo Sichuang’s communication with JPMorgan, projects face margin pressure when lithium prices exceed RMB 120,000/ton, and significant demand disruption occurs above RMB 170,000/ton.
Morgan Stanley data shows that central and state-owned enterprises have lowered the minimum IRR requirement for energy storage projects from 6.5% to 5% since late 2025. The whole industry is adjusting project evaluation standards amid rising lithium costs to ensure feasible project implementation.