Alfen and CATL Advance Rollout of Sodium-Ion Battery Storage Systems in Europe

Almere — The European battery storage market is shifting from a lithium-dominated landscape toward a more technology-diverse one. Dutch energy specialist Alfen and CATL, the world's largest battery manufacturer, aim to drive this shift by installing sodium-ion battery storage systems with a combined capacity of 5 GWh across Europe.

The move marks the first expansion of the companies' partnership, in place since 2023, into sodium-ion batteries. The technology is intended to broaden the battery material portfolio, reduce dependence on lithium and provide additional options for the growing market for large-scale stationary storage.

Sodium-Ion Batteries to Complement Existing Storage Technologies

Alfen is one of Europe's leading providers of battery storage systems, integrating them into energy and grid infrastructure, while CATL, as the world's largest battery manufacturer, supplies the storage technology. Through the partnership, Alfen and CATL aim to accelerate the large-scale rollout of sodium-ion battery storage in Europe. Alfen expects the collaboration to broaden the technological base of its energy storage products, reduce its exposure to lithium price volatility and strengthen its competitive position in European tenders for medium- and large-scale battery storage projects.

For CATL, the cooperation offers an opportunity to gain experience operating sodium-ion batteries under European grid conditions and to adapt the technology to the requirements of the European power market. Sodium-ion batteries are seen as a promising complement to lithium-ion systems, particularly in applications where raw material availability, cost and supply security matter more than maximum energy density.

CATL Continues to Expand Its Position in the Storage Business

According to the company, CATL has been the global market leader in energy storage batteries for five consecutive years and also ranks among the world's leading manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries. CATL shares, part of the RENIXX World index, were trading at EUR 68.94 today (July 20, 2026), up 3.3 percent.

The agreement with Alfen underscores a broader trend toward technological diversification in Europe's stationary battery storage market. Alongside lithium-ion batteries, alternative cell chemistries are gaining traction as a way to diversify supply chains, limit raw material risks and meet the growing storage demand driven by the integration of renewable energy on an economically viable basis.

Source: IWR Online, 21 Jul 2026