CATL signs a 5 GWh sodium-ion storage deal with Alfen, its first big sodium order in Europe

CATL/Naxtra sodium-ion

CATL and Dutch energy storage company Alfen agreed to deploy 5 GWh of CATL's Tener Sodium storage systems in the Netherlands and other Western European countries from 2027. It is the first planned European deployment of the system, which uses sodium-ion cells: sodium is abundant and cheap, so the batteries avoid lithium and its price swings.

• Each Tener Sodium system holds more than 30 MWh, is rated for 25 years and can be configured for 1 to 8 hours of storage.
• CATL says round-trip efficiency is nearly 2% better than before, and the system can run alongside lithium iron phosphate storage.
• CATL plans first deliveries in China in September 2026, about 1 GWh shipped by the end of 2026, and global commercial deliveries from June 2027.
• CATL is investing 5 billion yuan in 40 GWh of sodium-ion production capacity in Fujian province.