CATL, Cornex, SolaX and Other Chinese Energy Storage Players in Multi-GWh International Agreements

Why It Matters

These agreements embed Chinese battery technology and capital into key growth markets, accelerating renewable‑energy integration and reshaping the global energy‑storage supply chain.

Key Takeaways

• Cornex to supply 5.5 GWh in Saudi Arabia.
• CATL partners for up to 10 GWh Europe projects.
• Tianneng targets 1 GWh AI data‑center in Malaysia.
• Zhiguang delivers containerised microgrids for DRC mining.
• SolaX commits 1 GWh residential storage to Australia.

Pulse Analysis

Chinese battery manufacturers are leveraging strategic partnerships to overcome geographic barriers and tap into burgeoning demand for grid‑scale storage. By bundling technology, financing and project development expertise, firms like CATL and Cornex create closed‑loop ecosystems that accelerate deployment timelines. The 10 GWh European pipeline, backed by Schroders Greencoat’s $111 billion asset base, illustrates how capital‑rich investors are betting on Chinese battery prowess to meet Europe’s renewable targets, while the Saudi deal gives Cornex a foothold in the Middle East’s fast‑growing storage market.

Regional impacts are equally pronounced. In Southeast Asia, Tianneng’s 1 GWh AI data‑center project blends photovoltaic generation with liquid‑cooled storage, setting a benchmark for high‑density, zero‑carbon compute hubs. Africa’s mining sector gains reliability through Zhiguang’s containerised microgrids, which combine solar, diesel and battery power to mitigate chronic grid instability. Meanwhile, SolaX’s Australian agreement, guaranteeing at least 1 GWh of residential batteries, aligns with the country’s push for distributed storage to support rooftop solar and grid resilience.

Looking ahead, the influx of Chinese storage capacity could intensify competition, pressuring legacy Western manufacturers to innovate or partner. Policy incentives, such as Europe’s Green Deal and Africa’s renewable‑energy roadmaps, will likely sustain demand, but supply‑chain constraints and geopolitical tensions may pose risks. Companies that successfully integrate local market knowledge with Chinese manufacturing scale are poised to dominate the next wave of energy‑transition investments, shaping a more interconnected, low‑carbon power landscape.

CATL, Cornex, SolaX and other Chinese energy storage players in multi-GWh international agreements

By Carrie Xiao · February 10, 2026

The CATL‑Schroders Greencoat partnership agreement was sealed at the UK‑China Business Forum. Image: UK Embassy to China.

Carrie Xiao examines some notable recent partnerships and supply agreements for Chinese energy storage players in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Australia.

Since the start of 2026, China’s energy storage industry has made a robust opening, with leading players including Cornex, CATL and Tianneng Group rolling out a flurry of international cooperation agreements. These moves have steadily expanded the network of partners for Chinese energy storage players in the global market.

Cornex sealed a landmark cooperation agreement in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, inking a strategic energy storage agreement with local enterprises to further expand in the Middle Eastern energy storage market.

Industry leader CATL has partnered with UK‑based Schroders Greencoat and Hong Kong private‑equity firm Lochpine Capital on a strategic cooperation agreement, under which the three parties will focus on developing energy storage projects across Europe with a long‑term planned capacity of up to 10 GWh.

In addition, Tianneng Group has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with VCI Global Limited (VCIG), with both sides jointly advancing the development of PV‑storage projects in Malaysia. Zhiguang Electric has formally signed a contract with Vinmart Group of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), winning contracts for three PV‑storage‑diesel microgrid projects, while SolaX Power (SolaX) has struck a cooperation agreement with Raystech Group Pty Ltd to expand into Australia’s energy storage market and enhance its overseas business footprint.

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Cornex inks 5.5 GWh Saudi Arabia agreement to support localised production

On 3 February, Cornex signed a strategic energy storage cooperation agreement with Al Rajhi Electrical and Shanghai GREENGRID in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Under the agreement, as Al Rajhi Electrical’s first Chinese strategic partner in the energy storage sector, Cornex will fully leverage its R&D strengths and large‑scale manufacturing edge in lithium batteries to supply cutting‑edge energy storage products and comprehensive technical support for Al Rajhi Electrical’s construction of a local manufacturing base in Saudi Arabia. Over the next three years, Cornex will supply a total of 5.5 GWh of energy storage products to Al Rajhi Electrical, supporting the latter’s localised production and project development in the Middle East market.

CATL signs 10 GWh UK agreement with Schroders’ energy‑transition arm

On 2 February, Schroders Greencoat, the energy‑transition investment platform of UK‑based investment‑management firm Schroders, signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CATL and Hong Kong‑based private‑equity firm Lochpine Capital. The three parties will jointly advance the development and investment of battery storage projects across Europe. Lucy Rigby, KC MP and Economic Secretary to the UK Treasury, attended the signing ceremony, which was also attended by Richard Oldfield, Group CEO of Schroders; James Wang, Chief Investment Officer of CATL; and Alicia Liu, Managing Director of Lochpine Capital.

Pursuant to the agreement, this partnership will establish a European battery‑storage investment platform, with a long‑term plan to build energy storage facilities with a total annual production capacity of up to 10 GWh. Specifically, CATL will provide battery‑technology support; Schroders Greencoat will leverage its asset‑management expertise in renewable‑energy infrastructure; and Lochpine Capital will focus on BESS project development and fund structuring—together forging a complete “Technology + Capital + Projects” closed‑loop ecosystem.

As a leading European asset manager specialising in energy transition, Schroders Greencoat is backed by Schroders Capital’s US$111 billion in private‑market assets under management. It operates around 450 renewable‑energy assets worldwide, with a total installed capacity of over 7.7 GW.

Tianneng Group’s 1 GWh AI data‑centre agreement in Malaysia

Chinese energy‑storage battery manufacturer Tianneng Group has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with VCI Global Limited (VCIG). The two parties will jointly advance the development of a 1 GWh artificial‑intelligence data‑centre (AIDC) PV‑plus‑storage power‑plant project in Malacca, Malaysia. The project will adopt an EPC‑plus‑financing (“EPC+F”) cooperation model with the goal of building a benchmark green‑energy project in Southeast Asia that integrates “PV‑Storage‑Computing” capabilities.

According to Tianneng Group, Phase I of the project spans approximately 600 acres and includes plans to build 250 MW of PV power generation facilities. These will be paired with Tianneng’s self‑developed liquid‑cooled energy‑storage system to form a GWh‑scale clean‑energy supply system. Upon completion, the project will primarily supply stable, efficient, zero‑carbon power to AIDC developments.

Zhiguang Electric in DRC microgrid partnership with Vinmart Group

Zhiguang Electric formally signed contracts for three PV‑storage‑diesel microgrid projects with Vinmart Group of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The three projects are situated in major mining regions of the DRC, all utilising Zhiguang Electric’s custom containerised energy‑storage system (ESS) solutions.

As a global hub for copper and cobalt resources, the DRC grapples with complex power‑supply challenges for mining operations. Zhiguang Electric’s energy‑storage systems will work in synergy with PV and diesel generation to form an integrated PV‑storage‑diesel microgrid structure, delivering reliable and stable power support for critical production loads at mining sites.

Zhiguang Electric’s containerised ESS features an integrated design that seamlessly incorporates core components—including power‑conversion system (PCS), battery‑management system (BMS), and energy‑management system (EMS) intelligent‑management platforms. The system comes pre‑assembled to enable rapid on‑site deployment, precise data dispatching and monitoring, making it highly adaptable to the logistics and construction conditions of African mining areas.

SolaX signs distributed‑storage supply deal with Australia’s Raystech

SolaX has announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with Raystech Group Pty Ltd, appointing the latter as the exclusive general agent for the company’s residential energy‑storage products in the Australian market. Under the agreement, Raystech has committed to a cumulative procurement volume of no less than 1 GWh of SolaX’s energy‑storage battery products for the 2026 calendar year.

The agreement is effective from 1 January to 31 December 2026 and covers the entire Australian territory. It encompasses the company’s residential, commercial and industrial (C &I) energy‑storage batteries and related accessories supplied to the Australian market, with specific shipment volumes to be confirmed based on the actual reconciliation between the two parties.