Sichuan Daofu 2,100 MW Pumped Storage Plant Awards Construction Contracts Totaling RMB 4.179 Billion
Announced August 30, the upper and lower reservoir construction contracts for the Daofu pumped storage plant in Ganzi, Sichuan - the world's highest-altitude large pumped hydro facility - were awarded to Sinohydro Bureau 6 (RMB 1.426 billion, upper reservoir) and Gezhouba Group (RMB 2.754 billion, lower reservoir). The plant has a total capacity of 2,100 MW (6x350 MW units) with annual generation of 3.009 billion kWh, situated at 4,300 meters altitude.
Hydropower Bureau 8 Wins Reservoir Contract for Hunan Jianghua 1,400 MW Pumped Storage Plant
On September 1, Sinohydro Bureau 8 won the reservoir construction contract for the Jianghua Wan Shuiyuan pumped storage plant at RMB 1.3085 billion, with a total duration of 1,825 days (August 2026 - July 2031). The plant has a total capacity of 1,400 MW (4x350 MW units) and total investment of about RMB 8.96 billion, serving Hunan grid peak shaving, storage, frequency regulation and other functions.
1,000 MW/4,000 MWh Source-Side Independent Storage Project Fully Grid-Connected in Dengkou, Inner Mongolia
This week, the source-side independent storage sub-project in Dengkou, Inner Mongolia reached full grid connection at 1,000 MW/4,000 MWh. Located in the Ulan Buh desert, the project deploys 360 battery containers and 90 PCS units with a new 220 kV booster station, as a key source-grid-load-storage integrated project for western Inner Mongolia.
Two Independent Storage Projects Break Ground in Urad Front Banner, Inner Mongolia (About 2 GW/8 GWh)
This week, two independent storage projects broke ground in Urad Front Banner with a combined scale of about 2,000 MW/8,000 MWh and investment exceeding RMB 3.1 billion. The Huijin 200 MW/800 MWh demonstration project invests RMB 636 million, and a 300 MW/1,200 MWh project paired with a 500 kV substation invests about RMB 948 million.
820 MW/3,280 MWh Storage EPC Contracts Awarded for Shanxi Jinbei Desert Base
This week, EPC contracts for three storage sections at the Jinbei new energy base - one of China's 12 desert-Gobi-wasteland bases - were awarded totaling about RMB 2.323 billion for 820 MW/3,280 MWh, at unit prices of RMB 0.65-1.08/Wh, secured by China Energy Engineering and PowerChina.
Gansu Zhangye Dongletan 300 MW/1,200 MWh Independent Storage Station Enters Final Grid Connection Phase
This week, the Dongletan independent storage station in Shandan, Zhangye entered the final sprint toward grid connection, targeting September commissioning. With total investment of RMB 1.519 billion and a 330 kV booster station, it comprises 60 sets of 5 MW/20 MWh LFP storage units, feeding about 201 GWh annually.
EPC Shortlist Announced for 400 MW Grid-Forming Independent Storage Station in Kangbao, Hebei
On September 1, the EPC shortlist for the 400 MW grid-forming independent storage station in Kangbao County, Hebei was published, with a consortium of Hebei Jiaotou Infrastructure, China 22MCC and North China Power Engineering leading. Construction starts in September with full grid connection by November 30 and commercial operation in May 2027.
Global H1 ESS Battery Shipments Hit 461.3 GWh; Overseas Share Exceeds Half for First Time
This week, global energy storage battery (ESS) shipments reached 461.3 GWh in H1 2026, up 71% year-on-year, with shipments outside China totaling 258.7 GWh - exceeding half of the global market for the first time. August saw 38 overseas utility-scale storage project developments totaling about 38 GWh, including 12 commissioned.
World's Largest Solar-Storage Microgrid Reaches Full Commercial Operation in Saudi Arabia
On September 2, the Red Sea multi-utility project in Saudi Arabia reached full commercial operation, connecting a 358 MWac solar plant and 1.2 GWh battery storage into an isolated utility network supplying tourism facilities, desalination, cooling and water treatment - the world's largest solar-storage microgrid.
TotalEnergies Commissions Africa's Largest Hybrid Solar-Storage Project 'Hydra' in South Africa
On September 4, TotalEnergies and partners commissioned the Hydra hybrid project in South Africa's Northern Cape, comprising a 216 MWp solar PV plant and 500 MWh BESS, generating over 400 GWh annually. Integrated via an EMS, it supplies 75 MW continuously to Eskom, charging by day and discharging during evening peaks.
Adani Green Commissions 139 MW Solar Plant at Khavda, Total Renewable Capacity Surpasses 20 GW
On September 1, Adani Green commissioned a 139 MW solar project at its Khavda renewable park in Gujarat, lifting total operational renewable capacity to 20.29 GW and BESS capacity to 3.55 GWh. Khavda has emerged as one of the world's largest renewable energy hubs.
ENGIE Commissions 251 MW of Battery Storage Projects in Chile
On August 31, ENGIE commissioned the Libelula and Los Loros BESS projects in Chile, adding a combined 251 MW to the national electric system. Libelula comprises a 203 MW/1,034 MWh five-hour BESS plus a 140 MW solar plant (245,560 panels). ENGIE's operational Chilean storage portfolio now reaches 663 MW.
Monarch Completes Two Solar-Plus-Storage Projects in Texas, US
On September 1, Monarch Private Capital completed two hybrid solar-plus-storage projects in Texas developed by Sunraycer Renewables: Midpoint (127.05 MWdc solar plus 50 MW/100 MWh BESS) and Gaia (183.84 MWdc solar plus 75 MW/150 MWh BESS), supported by Monarch's tax equity financing.
Niger Signs PPP Agreement for 200 MW Solar-Plus-Storage Project
On September 3, Niger's government signed a PPP agreement with Niger Electricity Power Production (NEPP) to develop a 200 MW solar PV plant with BESS in Niamey, representing an investment of CFA 126.1 billion, with construction and financial mobilization expected to take about 24 months.
Portugal Unveils National Energy Storage Strategy Targeting 5 GW Pumped Hydro by 2040
On September 2, Portugal released its National Energy Storage Strategy, identifying long-duration storage as essential infrastructure for renewable-based power systems. The plan covers pumped storage expansion, competitive auctions, future tenders and permitting reform, targeting at least 5 GW of pumped hydro capacity by 2040 (3.9 GW by 2030).