Global energy storage systems are experiencing extraordinary growth. During the first three quarters of 2025, global ESS shipments reached 286.35 GWh. That’s an 84.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Energy storage cell shipments climbed even higher, totaling 410.45 GWh during the same timeframe, representing a 98.5% year-on-year growth rate.
The momentum accelerated throughout 2025. Q3 marked a historic milestone when shipments exceeded 100 GWh in a single quarter for the first time. Energy storage cell shipments in Q3 hit 170.24 GWh, breaking previous records. Q2 also set records with 136.78 GWh in cell shipments. This consistent growth signals strong demand across the energy storage industry. Notably, industry concentration fell below 90% for the first time, driven by rising shipments from tier-2 and tier-3 manufacturers.
Utility-scale storage dominates the market, accounting for the largest segment. Through the first three quarters of 2025, utility-scale shipments reached 252.5 GWh, with cell shipments climbing to 372.36 GWh. The residential market remains much smaller, with ESS shipments approaching 26.6 GWh and cell shipments around 10 GWh in Q3 alone. Small-scale storage shipments exceeded 15 GWh in Q3. Industry experts predict global ESS shipments will approach 400 GWh by the end of 2025, reflecting sustained momentum in the sector. This acceleration mirrors the U.S. trajectory where battery storage surpassed gas as the dominant form of new power capacity additions. Leading companies like HiTHIUM have achieved top 2 global rankings in utility-scale energy storage shipments, further accelerating market development.
Utility-scale storage dominates with 252.5 GWh shipments, dwarfing residential and small-scale segments combined through Q3 2025.
Competition remains intense among suppliers. The top ten suppliers control roughly 60% of total shipments. In the utility-scale segment, five companies lead the market: Sungrow, BYD, Tesla, CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, and HyperStrong. However, the market concentration for utility-scale producers slipped to 47.3% from the previous quarter, showing that competition’s intensifying. The residential market shows different trends, with the top five suppliers controlling 50.9% of shipments, up three percentage points.
Supply patterns shifted dramatically in 2025. Previously, the industry faced oversupply concerns. Now, demand’s so strong that manufacturers operate at full capacity. Energy storage cell plants ran at full sales in Q3, and calls for price increases gradually gained momentum.
Looking ahead, projections remain bullish. Full-year utility-scale shipments are expected to exceed 500 GWh. Global energy storage cell shipments in 2025 could approach 600 GWh. Industry experts identify Sungrow, BYD, and Tesla as the top contenders for 2025 leadership in utility-scale storage. The market’s globalization also continues, with suppliers expanding beyond traditional strongholds like China and the US into emerging markets.