The Chinese energy storage industry is experiencing a new phase of international expansion. After gaining scale in the manufacturing of batteries, inverters, BMS, integrated systems, and solutions for different applications, companies in the country are now seeking to consolidate a global presence not only through products, but also through brand positioning, local services, and dominance of the production chain.
One example of this movement is the manufacturer SAJ, which has set an ambitious goal: to enter the group of the five largest global companies in the energy storage sector within three to five years. This was signaled by Samil Ouyang, president of SAJ, at a time when the company is trying to expand its international visibility.
With this strategy in mind, the company announced in April that Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur would be its global brand ambassador. This initiative reinforces the company's move to move beyond simply exporting products and to consolidate an international presence also supported by brand recognition.
This move comes amid strong growth in international demand for energy storage systems. According to CNESA (China Energy Storage Alliance), new orders from abroad to Chinese companies in the sector totaled 366 GWh in 2025, a 144% increase compared to the previous year. More than 70 Chinese energy storage companies participated in this global expansion process.
In the first quarter of 2026, the trend continued. According to CESA's industry database, Chinese companies closed 124 international orders for energy storage, totaling approximately 104,63 GWh.
According to SAJ executives, the expansion is the result of a combination of factors: increased concern for energy security, the accelerated transition to renewable sources, growing demand for energy in data centers, and the maturing of international electricity markets.
“Overseas energy storage markets, due to high political and regulatory certainty and mature electricity trading, have become an important growth point for Chinese energy storage companies,” stated Shu Jie, director of the Distributed and Intelligent Microgrids Laboratory at the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
According to him, international demand remains strong and has been driven by the growth of the so-called "three new items" in the Chinese export agenda: photovoltaic energy, energy storage, and new energy vehicles.
External revenue already accounts for up to 90% of SAJ.
In the case of SAJ, international sales already represent the majority of its business. According to the manufacturer, international revenue currently accounts for approximately 80% to 90% of the company's total.
The company also projects a new cycle of strong growth. “In 2025, revenue from overseas energy storage doubled compared to 2024. In 2026, it is expected to at least double again. In 2027, we are confident in continuing the doubling trend,” said Samil Ouyang.
The company states that the average gross margin for storage products sold outside of China is around 30%, with even higher performance in some European markets. This percentage is higher than that observed in the Chinese domestic market, where the gross margin is between 10% and 15%, according to the press release.
This differentiating factor helps explain the company's commitment to a more structured international expansion strategy. Currently, SAJ products are present in more than 80 countries, with service teams located in over 40 markets.
The company went through two cycles that influenced this strategy. Between 2016 and 2018, it was more dependent on the Chinese domestic market. Then, with changes in local subsidy policies, it accelerated its international presence.
Between 2021 and 2022, with strong European demand, the company concentrated a significant portion of its operations in certain markets. The subsequent stabilization of demand in Europe led Sanjing to seek a more balanced global presence.
Energy security and renewables are driving battery growth.
The international expansion of Chinese companies is occurring within a context of increased concern among countries regarding energy security. The volatility of fossil fuel prices and geopolitical conflicts have led governments and companies to seek alternatives to reduce external dependence and increase the predictability of supply.
In this scenario, the combination of solar, wind, and energy storage gains traction. Batteries take on a strategic role in compensating for the intermittency of renewables, shifting energy to peak demand times, and supporting grid stability.
“In the new energy industry, photovoltaics and energy storage are inevitably deeply integrated,” stated Samil Ouyang. “Photovoltaics is an intermittent energy source. Small-scale installations do not require backup energy storage, but large-scale grid connection must rely on energy storage to achieve stable grid regulation.”
According to the executive, although growth factors vary by market, the global energy transition sustains a long-term demand for storage solutions.
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