In 2025, humanity crossed a quiet but consequential threshold: for the first time, the world installed more than 100 gigawatts of energy storage in a single year, reaching 112 gigawatts in a growth arc that outpaced even the celebrated rises of solar and wind. Led by China and spreading to unexpected corners like Australia and Saudi Arabia, this expansion reflects a civilizational shift — from a grid built to generate power, to one increasingly designed to hold it. The milestone arrives not as a conclusion but as an opening, as new chemistries challenge lithium's dominance and the infrastructu
BloombergNEF
· May 08, 2026
· technology
· 3 min read
High
Sourcing: Verified
Energy Storage Hits 100-Gigawatt Milestone as Non-Lithium Batteries Emerge
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Economy & Finance
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Bias & Framing
⚖
BloombergNEF presents energy storage growth as an unqualified success story with optimistic framing, though it briefly acknowledges Middle East conflict risks without substantive analysis.
Bias Direction
center-right
Confidence
MED
Progress narrative with celebratory language emphasizing records and milestones. Uses comparative growth metrics (48% YoY, 4x faster adoption than solar/wind) to amplify positive momentum. Geopolitical risks mentioned but minimized and not integrated into analysis.
having its moment
set new records every year
record underscores growing market momentum
increased industry maturity
leapfrogged some peer countries
accelerate
Environmental concerns about mining for non-lithium battery materials
Labor practices in battery manufacturing supply chains
Grid stability challenges from rapid storage deployment
Perspectives from fossil fuel industry or grid operators with concerns
Detailed analysis of Middle East conflict implications mentioned but not explored
Cost competitiveness challenges for non-lithium alternatives
Potential market saturation or overcapacity risks
Geopolitical Impact
🌎
China's dominance in energy storage (54% global share) combined with emerging non-lithium battery technologies creates strategic competition for resource control and clean energy infrastructure leadership.
Escalation Risk
moderate
Confidence
HIGH
China
United States
Australia
Saudi Arabia
Middle East
European Union
Southeast Asia
China consolidates technological and manufacturing leadership in critical energy infrastructure; US trails significantly at 16% market share, raising energy security concerns. Non-lithium battery emergence could disrupt established lithium supply chains (concentrated in Australia, Chile, Congo), potentially reducing Chinese leverage over mineral-dependent nations. Middle East conflict poses supply chain risks.
Similar to semiconductor manufacturing concentration in Taiwan during the 2010s—critical infrastructure dominance by single actor creates geopolitical vulnerability for others and potential leverage in future disputes.
Economic Lens
📈
Global energy storage deployment surged 48% YoY to 112 GW in 2025, driven by falling costs and renewable integration, with non-lithium batteries emerging as competitive alternatives to lithium-ion technology.
Market Signal
bullish
Confidence
HIGH
Energy Storage Manufacturing
Battery Technology & Materials
Renewable Energy
Power Generation & Utilities
Mining (lithium, cobalt, nickel)
Electronics & EV Supply Chain
Construction & Infrastructure
Lower electricity costs through grid stabilization, improved renewable energy reliability, and reduced blackout risk. Residential storage subsidies (e.g., Australia) make home battery systems more affordable, enabling energy independence and reduced utility bills for early adopters.
Governments likely to expand storage subsidies and tax incentives to accelerate deployment. Regulatory frameworks needed for grid integration standards. Supply chain diversification away from lithium-dependent systems may reduce geopolitical vulnerabilities. Middle East conflicts could disrupt mineral supply chains, prompting strategic reserves and domestic production policies.