Sodium-ion Battery storage in Europe is moving into a larger commercial phase. Alfen and CATL have signed an agreement to deploy 5 GWh of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems across Europe. As a result, the deal expands their existing partnership beyond Lithium-ion projects. Moreover, it adds a new battery chemistry to Alfen’s energy storage strategy.
Alfen is based in the Netherlands, while CATL is based in China. Together, the companies aim to strengthen Europe’s energy infrastructure with more diverse storage solutions. In addition, they want to support medium- and large-scale projects with cost-optimized systems for stationary use.
Sodium-ion battery storage in Europe enters a new stage
This agreement builds on a partnership that started with lithium-ion battery storage. In 2023, Alfen and CATL signed a long-term battery supply agreement. Then, in 2024, they expanded that deal to meet rising demand for Alfen’s storage systems in Europe. Now, the new sodium-ion plan marks the next step in that relationship.
Under the new agreement, the companies will deploy 5 GWh of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems in Europe. Therefore, Alfen will broaden the materials used across its storage portfolio. At the same time, CATL will gain more operating experience in European grid-connected projects.
For Alfen, the deal supports product diversification and tighter cost control. In addition, it helps the company compete more strongly in European tenders. This is especially important for medium- and large-scale storage projects. Alfen develops and integrates solutions for smart grids, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging. Consequently, the company plays a growing role in Europe’s power infrastructure.
For CATL, the partnership supports the international rollout of sodium-ion energy storage systems. Furthermore, it allows the company to adapt the technology to regional grid requirements in Europe. CATL also said it remains the world’s largest battery supplier for Electric Vehicles and energy storage. The company operates 20 battery manufacturing facilities.
Sodium-ion battery storage in Europe gains support from CATL scale
CATL has increased its sodium-ion storage activity in recent months. In April, the company announced a 60 GWh sodium-ion battery supply agreement with Chinese storage integrator HyperStrong. That contract covers three years. According to CATL, it is the largest sodium-ion battery supply agreement announced so far.
CATL said this earlier agreement showed that sodium-ion technology is ready for large-scale deliveries. The company has invested about CNY 10 billion, or around EUR 1.2 billion, in sodium-ion battery research and development since 2016. As a result, CATL has advanced energy density, material design, and production processes.
The company has also improved hard carbon anodes and moisture control during manufacturing. These steps matter because they support more efficient battery production. In addition, they help CATL scale sodium-ion systems for commercial storage applications.
Sodium-ion battery storage in Europe benefits from compatible cell design
CATL introduced a sodium-ion storage battery that matches its 587 Ah lithium battery cell format. Therefore, integrators can use the new product more easily in existing system designs. This compatibility can also reduce adaptation costs and shorten deployment timelines.
The sodium-ion cell offers more than 300 Ah of capacity. It delivers an energy density of around 160 Wh/kg. In addition, CATL cites system efficiency of 97%. The company also says the battery can exceed 15,000 cycles while keeping 80% capacity. Its operating temperature range runs from -40 C to 70 C.
These specifications make the battery suitable for several storage uses. For example, CATL is targeting stationary storage projects with durations from two to eight hours. The company also sees opportunities in renewable energy integration, shared storage systems, and data centers.
The battery uses a hard carbon anode and a layered oxide cathode. In addition, the design avoids cobalt and nickel. CATL also replaces copper with aluminum. According to the company, the battery has passed nail penetration, crush, and overcharge tests without thermal runaway.
Sodium-ion battery storage in Europe could support wider deployment
The Alfen-CATL agreement is notable because it links battery manufacturing scale with European system integration expertise. Alfen brings experience in smart grids, energy storage, and charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, CATL brings battery production scale and long-term sodium-ion development. Together, they can move sodium-ion battery storage in Europe from pilot activity toward broader deployment.
The 5 GWh target is also significant in market terms. It gives the partnership enough scale to support multiple large projects across Europe. Moreover, it shows that sodium-ion batteries are becoming a practical option for stationary energy storage. This is especially relevant for applications that value long cycle life, system efficiency, and flexible operating performance.
Looking ahead, the agreement gives both companies a clearer path in Europe’s growing storage market. Alfen can expand its product mix and strengthen its position in competitive tenders. CATL can gather field data from European installations and accelerate its international expansion plans. Therefore, this 5 GWh deal stands out as an important commercial step for sodium-ion battery storage in Europe in 2026.
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