CATL signed a 2-GWh sodium-ion battery storage agreement with Bulgaria's Solarpro, planning to deploy Central and Eastern Europe's first large-scale sodium-ion storage project by year-end. TENER Sodium supports 15,000 cycles, 25-30 year lifespan, and retains 92% capacity at -20°C.
Sodium-Ion Technology Breakthrough
On July 21, 2026, CATL announced via its WeChat account that it has signed an agreement with Bulgarian renewable energy company Solarpro covering 2 GWh of sodium-ion battery storage systems. This represents an expansion of the companies' existing partnership, marking sodium-ion technology's transition from the laboratory to large-scale commercial application.
CATL's TENER Sodium system demonstrates significant advantages in technical specifications:
- Ultra-Long Cycle Life: Designed to support 15,000 charge-discharge cycles, with an approximate service life of 25-30 years based on a 70% state-of-health standard
- Exceptional Low-Temperature Performance: Using wide-temperature dipole technology, it retains 92% capacity at -20°C; supports over 10,000 cycles at 45°C without additional insulation or forced cooling
- Intrinsic Safety Improvement: Cell expansion force reduced by 40%, gas generation decreased by 35%, thermal runaway surface temperature only approximately 200°C (about 60% lower than conventional lithium batteries)
- Energy Optimization: Self-consumption rate reduced from industry average 2% to 1%; noise controlled at 65 dB, 10 dB lower than traditional equipment
Central and Eastern European Storage Market Opportunity
The companies plan to begin deploying Central and Eastern Europe's first large-scale sodium-ion energy storage project by the end of 2026, providing early validation of sodium-ion technology's commercial viability under demanding European grid and climate conditions.
Winter temperatures in Central and Eastern Europe often fall to -15°C to -20°C, where traditional lithium batteries require additional thermal management systems, increasing cost and complexity. TENER Sodium's low-temperature advantage gives it natural competitiveness in this market.
CATL and Solarpro cooperation timeline:
| Time | Cooperation Content | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | First liquid-cooled storage project | 150 MWh (EnerC+) |
| May 2026 | Lithium-based storage facility | 602 MWh (TENER) |
| July 2026 | Sodium-ion storage agreement | 2 GWh (TENER Sodium) |
This cooperation upgrade reflects the energy storage market's shift from "lithium-only" toward "multiple chemistry systems coexisting." Tan Libin, CATL's chief customer officer, stated: "With their superior safety performance and lifecycle sustainability advantages, sodium-ion batteries will deliver unique value to European customers."
Implications for Central Asian Energy Transition
For Central Asian and Russian markets, the maturation of sodium-ion storage technology carries special significance:
- Raw Material Supply Security: Sodium resources are widely distributed, costing only 1/20th of lithium ($300-400/ton vs $8,000+/ton), not constrained by single mineral geographic concentration
- Severe Cold Climate Adaptability: The characteristic of retaining 92% capacity at -20°C makes it particularly suitable for regions with harsh winters such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
- Long-Cycle Economics: A 25-30 year service life means lower levelized cost of electricity, suitable as grid-scale long-term storage assets
Sodium-Ion vs Lithium-Ion Storage Technology Comparison:
| Metric | Sodium-Ion (TENER Sodium) | Lithium-Ion (LFP) |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Life | 15,000 cycles | 3,000-10,000 cycles |
| -20°C Capacity Retention | 92% | 60-70% |
| Thermal Runaway Temp | ~200°C | ~500°C+ |
| Raw Material Cost | $300-400/ton | $8,000+/ton |
| Self-Consumption Rate | 1% | ~2% |
| Noise Level | 65 dB | 75 dB+ |
With platforms like EX1000.COM driving access, Central Asian buyers can directly connect with leading Chinese storage suppliers like CATL to obtain sodium-ion storage solutions optimized for cold climates, accelerating regional energy transition.
