According to data from TrendForce Global Energy Storage Supply Chain Database, global energy storage cell shipments reached approximately 224 GWh in the first quarter of 2026, surging 117% year-on-year. The global energy storage market maintained robust growth momentum.
CR10 Hits 82%, Industry Concentration Rises
Industry concentration of global energy storage cells further increased in Q1 2026. The top 10 manufacturers captured a combined 82% market share, up from the same period last year, with leading players expanding competitive edges steadily.
A clear hierarchical pattern emerged across rankings. CATL secured the global top spot with a 22% market share, holding an absolute leading position.Eve Energy and Hithium followed closely, jointly forming the second tier with an identical 10% market share each. BYD, REPT BATTERO and CALB ranked among the top six. Shipment gaps narrowed, and competition centered on capacity expansion, client portfolio and delivery capability.
Mid-tier manufacturers achieved rapid shipment growth amid intensifying competition. The industry presents a landscape of leading giants advancing steadily and mid-ranking players striving for breakthroughs.
Global Utility-scale Storage Cell Shipments Hit 200 GWh, Up 107%
TrendForce statistics show global utility and commercial & industrial energy storage cell shipments stood at around 200 GWh in Q1 2026, a 107% year-on-year increase.
The top 5 suppliers in this segment are CATL, Hithium, Eve Energy, BYD and CALB. CATL led the market with a 25% share. Shipments of the second to fifth-ranked enterprises ranged from 15 GWh to 21 GWh, with share gaps within 3%, reflecting fierce rivalry in the second tier.
Shipment growth of leading cell makers stemmed from booming project demand and product specification upgrades. Domestic supportive policies and accelerated grid connection of energy storage projects underpinned steady basic demand. Overseas large-scale energy storage, microgrid and AI data center backup power projects delivered larger single-project scale and higher profit margins. Manufacturers are accelerating the adoption of cells with capacity above 500Ah to cut costs of battery pack and system integration, and elevate delivery efficiency.
Growth drivers have shifted from capacity expansion to project execution, high-capacity product iteration and overseas delivery competence.
Residential Storage Cell Shipments Reach 24 GWh with Rapid Expansion
The residential energy storage market saw even more explosive growth. Global residential cell shipments amounted to 24 GWh in Q1 2026, jumping 247% year-on-year.
The market features extremely high concentration with prominent leading advantages. REPT BATTERO, Eve Energy and Great Power claimed the top three positions, taking a combined 63% market share with resources highly concentrated on major players.
High-margin mature markets including Europe, America and Australia remain core growth engines. Rising power stability demand and improving sales channels in Southeast Asia and Latin America are poised to become the secondary growth driver.
2026 Market Outlook
Geopolitical and trade barriers remain major challenges for Chinese manufacturers’ overseas expansion. With lithium carbonate prices stabilizing and local overseas production bases of leading firms gradually commissioned, global supply and demand will gradually ease from previous tight supply.
TrendForce forecasts full-year global energy storage cell shipments will hit 901 GWh in 2026, with annual growth rate staying around 50%. The industry will sustain strong high-speed growth.
Source：EnergyTrend