Chinese cell manufacturer CBAK Energy has signed an investment agreement covering a proposed 12GWh battery project in Nanjing, although development remains dependent on financing and customer demand.
The agreement with the Nanjing Gaochun Economic Development Zone covers the research, development and manufacture of large cylindrical battery cells and integrated battery systems in Jiangsu province.
Despite being presented as a sodium-ion project, the proposed production lines would be capable of manufacturing either sodium-ion or lithium-ion cells. CBAK said the chemistry used would be determined by market conditions and customer demand.
The company intends to begin advancing the project during the second half of 2027, subject to securing finance. Development would be divided into phases and include cell manufacturing, module assembly and battery-pack integration.
CBAK did not disclose the expected capital cost, financing structure or commissioning schedule. It also announced no firm customer orders associated with the planned capacity.
The company said prospective customers were testing its sodium-ion cell samples for residential and portable energy storage and electric mobility. Evaluations for specialty vehicles, engine start-stop systems and backup power were also under way.
Separately, CBAK is targeting a 6GWh expansion of its existing Nanjing operation by the end of 2026. The facility currently has 4.5GWh of annual capacity for Model 32140 cylindrical cells. The proposed addition would raise its total to 10.5GWh.
CBAK is considering installing two Model 60150 production lines, although it could instead add one 60150 line and one 32140 line.
The company estimated that the additional 6GWh could produce annual revenue of RMB2.4–2.7 billion ($356–400 million). It put the potential annual revenue from the 12GWh project at RMB4.8–5 billion ($712–741 million), based on current lithium-ion cell prices.
Both projections assume the plants are running at full capacity and that all production is sold.
Chief executive Zhiguang Hu said: “We plan to develop the project in phases, with investment guided by financing availability and customer demand.”
Image credit: AI-generated editorial image
