Global shipments of lithium-ion batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) reached 461.3 GWh in the first half of 2026, a 71% increase from 269.7 GWh during the same period last year, according to data released by SNE Research. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) maintained its leading position with 125.0 GWh shipped, an 81% year-on-year gain that lifted its market share to 27.1% from 25.6%. Eve Energy followed in second place with 48.0 GWh (10.4% share), while Hithium and BYD claimed third and fourth positions with 46.2 GWh (10.0%) and 35.7 GWh (7.7%), respectively. CALB, Rept Battero Energy and Cornex rounded out the top seven, each shipping between 30.2 GWh and 31.5 GWh and holding individual shares of 6.5% to 6.8%.
China’s Gotion High-tech saw shipments increase 41% to 20.8 GWh, but its market share slipped to 4.5%. Great Power nearly tripled its output to 20.5 GWh, raising its share to 4.4%. Among South Korean producers, LG Energy Solution delivered the strongest growth, shipping 12.0 GWh—up 357%—and doubling its share to 2.6%. Samsung SDI shipped 6.4 GWh, a 20% rise, though its share declined to 1.4%. Together, the two accounted for 4.0% of the global ESS battery market.
Regionally, China remained the largest single market with 202.5 GWh shipped, up 49%, but its share decreased to 43.9% from 50.5%. Shipments to North America, Europe and other regions combined reached 258.7 GWh—56% of the global total—overtaking China for the first time. Other regions, driven by large projects in the Middle East and Australia, grew 119% to 110.1 GWh (23.9% share). North America recorded 75.9 GWh (up 83%) and Europe reached 72.7 GWh (up 74%).
In North America, CATL led with 29.5 GWh (38.8% share), followed by Hithium (13.1 GWh, 17.2%) and LG Energy Solution (10.3 GWh, 13.6%). LG Energy Solution derived 86% of its global ESS shipments from North America, with 95% designated for grid applications. Samsung SDI supplied 1.6 GWh for AI data centers, growing shipments 16% but seeing its share fall to 6.1%.
By application, grid storage dominated with 347.0 GWh (75.2%), led by CATL (30% share), Hithium (13%), Eve (10%), BYD (9%) and CALB (8%). Residential storage surged 128% to 47.7 GWh (10.3% share), with Rept Battero Energy holding 32%, Eve 25% and Great Power 23%. Commercial and industrial storage rose 59% to 39.6 GWh, led by CATL (35%) and Rept Battero Energy (14%).
SNE Research noted that tightening tariffs and supply-chain rules in North America and Europe are making supply-chain stability, local production capacity and regulatory compliance key selection criteria alongside price. The firm also highlighted that growth in AI data centers and renewable generation is driving demand for grid-stabilizing ESS, with cell supply tightening as customers seek to secure volumes early.
Source: CNEV Post
