China breaks records in energy storage. One quarter of global BESS installations in a single month.

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China has once again confirmed its dominant position in the global energy storage market. In the past month alone, 18 GW of power and 65 GWh of capacity in large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) were connected to the grid in the country. This represents as much as 25% of the total energy storage capacity commissioned worldwide in 2025.

The data comes from the latest edition of the Battery Energy Stationary Storage Monthly Database, compiled by the analytics firm Rho Motion.

Global record and unprecedented scale

December 2025 proved record-breaking not only for China but for the entire world. Globally, 20.5 GW of power and 71 GWh of capacity in large energy storage systems were commissioned that month. This is the highest monthly result in history – almost twice as high as the previous record set in December 2024.

Importantly, China accounted for 92% of this new capacity, highlighting the concentration of investments in a single country.

50–90% of global installations – every month

Since the beginning of 2025, China has been the undisputed leader in the large-scale BESS segment. In subsequent months, its share of global installations ranged from 50% to as much as 90%. For example, in November, the country accounted for 73% of global deployments.

This high share is not limited to energy storage. At the same time, China remains the world’s largest market for new renewable energy installations – both solar PV and wind – which further drives demand for energy storage systems.

Energy storage as a pillar of the energy transition

The rapid development of BESS in China is no coincidence. Energy storage has become a key element in stabilizing the power system, where the share of intermittent renewable sources is growing. Large-scale batteries enable:

  • balancing energy production and demand,
  • reducing grid overloads,
  • increasing energy security,
  • reducing the need to activate conventional backup power sources.

Implications for Europe and Poland

The scale of Chinese investments shows how important energy storage will be in the coming years. For Europe – including Poland – it is a clear signal that without accelerating the development of BESS, achieving energy transition goals, integrating renewables, and maintaining grid stability will be difficult.

If the current pace continues, 2026 could go down in history as a breakthrough moment for the global energy storage market, with China remaining its main architect.

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