Global lithium-ion energy storage system (ESS) shipments climbed to 461.3 GWh in the first half of 2026, marking a 71% increase year-over-year, according to market data released by SNE Research on August 3. While China remained the largest regional market at 202.5 GWh—a 49% rise—other regions combined grew even faster, expanding by 119% and accounting for nearly 24% of total shipments. Both North America and Europe recorded strong gains of 83% and 74%, respectively, as the global ESS market continued diversifying beyond China.
China’s share of global shipments fell from 50.5% to 43.9% over the period. By application, grid-scale ESS led the market with 347.0 GWh, or 75% of total volume. Residential systems saw the steepest growth rate at 128%, rising from 20.9 GWh to 47.7 GWh and boosting their share from 7.7% to 10.3%. Commercial and industrial installations expanded by 59%, to 39.6 GWh.
Market leadership remained with major Chinese manufacturers, but those that captured demand in North America and Europe outperformed the average. CATL increased shipments to 125.0 GWh, lifting its share from 25.6% to 27.1%. In contrast, CALB and Gotion saw shipment increases below market growth and ceded about one percentage point each in share. Great Power’s volumes surged 202%, AESC’s rose 111%, and LG Energy Solution recorded a 357% jump—shipping 6.7 GWh in the second quarter alone. Samsung SDI also grew shipments by 20% during the same period.
In North America, where ESS volumes reached 75.9 GWh in H1 2026, LG Energy Solution shipped 10.3 GWh and moved into third place behind CATL and Hithium, boosting its regional share from 4.2% to 13.6%. Samsung SDI increased shipments by 16% but saw its share slip from 9.7% to 6.1%, while securing 1.6 GWh of capacity for AI data center projects. The combined North American share of LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI rose from 13.9% to 19.7%.
Looking ahead, SNE Research noted that order volumes for upcoming North American grid and data center projects could further expand shipments and market shares for these companies, helping to offset a slowdown in electric vehicle battery demand.
Source: Business Korea
