CATL signs 5 GWh sodium-ion battery storage deal with Alfen. Credit: CATL Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) and European energy solutions provider Alfen N.V. have announced a strategic partnership to deploy 5 GWh of CATL’s Tener Sodium energy storage systems across Europe. The collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding, marks a milestone in the commercial application of sodium-ion technology in the European market, with deployments scheduled to begin in 2027. The two companies’ cooperation began in 2023 and previously focused on lithium-ion battery supply. By incorporating sodium-ion technology, Alfen aims to diversify its battery material portfolio, optimise cost structures, and enhance resilience against lithium price volatility. Sodium-ion technology for the European grid The Tener Sodium system, officially launched by CATL in Munich on June 22, 2026, is engineered to address critical industry demands for stability and long-term cost-efficiency. Key technical specifications of the system include: Extended durability: The system boasts a 15,000-cycle lifespan, offering a service life of 25 to 30 years based on a 70% State of Health (SOH) standard. Enhanced efficiency: Through a proprietary bidirectional voltage control Power Conversion System (PCS), the Tener system stabilises output at 690V, improving Round Trip Efficiency (RTE) by nearly 2%. Additionally, the system’s self-consumption rate has been reduced to 1%, half the industry average. Operational safety: The system features intrinsic safety designs, including a 40% reduction in cell expansion force and a 35% decrease in gas generation. Its thermal runaway surface temperature is approximately 200°C, significantly higher than that of traditional lithium-ion batteries. Environmental adaptability: Utilising dipole wide-temperature technology, the system retains over 92% capacity at -20°C and supports over 10,000 cycles at 45°C without requiring additional insulation or cooling. An energy storage system developed in partnership between Alfen and CATL. Credit: Alfen “Sodium-ion is the next step in how we think about energy storage – more diversified, resilient, and built for where the market is heading,” said Michael Colijn, CEO of Alfen. Tan Libin, Chief Customer Officer and Co-President of Sales and Marketing at CATL, added, “With their superior safety performance and lifecycle sustainability advantages, sodium-ion batteries will deliver unique value to European customers and support the region’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.”