Chuneng New Energy Commissions 80 GWh Lithium Battery Project in Yichang

Chuneng New Energy has officially commissioned the second phase of its 80 GWh lithium battery industrial park in Yichang, Hubei Province, China, marking a major milestone in the company’s battery manufacturing expansion. The project represents a total investment of RMB 22 billion and has a planned production capacity of 80 GWh.

Located in Longquan Town, Yiling District, the project is equipped with highly automated and intelligent manufacturing facilities. At the project’s No. 5 smart clean factory, automated production lines are now in operation, covering key manufacturing processes including copper foil coating, precision electrolyte injection, battery cell packaging and AI-based visual inspection. These technologies are designed to improve manufacturing efficiency, production consistency and quality control.

Compared with Phase I, the second phase has achieved an increase of more than 60% in single-line production efficiency. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce more than 800,000 battery cells per day, further strengthening the overall manufacturing capacity of Chuneng New Energy’s Yichang production base.

Upon reaching full production, the project is expected to generate more than RMB 22 billion in annual output value, contribute approximately RMB 1 billion in annual tax revenue, and create around 6,000 direct jobs. The large-scale project is expected to provide additional momentum for the development of the lithium battery industry and the broader new energy manufacturing sector in Hubei.

One of the key highlights of the project is its rapid construction timeline. The second phase was completed and commissioned in just 10 months, two months ahead of the originally scheduled construction period. Local authorities established dedicated project coordination mechanisms and implemented milestone-based management to accelerate construction and resolve challenges throughout the development process.

During the construction period, more than 100 project-related issues were coordinated and resolved. Key supporting procedures were also accelerated, with the acquisition and relocation of 2,054 mu of land completed within 31 days, while site preparation was completed within 40 days. The overall approval timeline was reduced by more than 50%, helping create the conditions for the project to enter operation ahead of schedule.

In parallel, supporting infrastructure including road upgrades, improvements to water supply facilities and residential relocation projects was developed alongside the industrial project, further strengthening the operational foundation of the Yichang battery manufacturing base.

Chuneng New Energy’s Yichang base has also recorded strong growth. During the first half of 2026, the facility generated more than RMB 7.5 billion in output value, while shipments increased by 222% year on year. Its products are already being exported to multiple markets across Europe and Asia.

Benefiting from Yichang’s strategic location along the Yangtze River and its established logistics advantages, Chuneng New Energy is positioned to serve markets across central China while further expanding its international distribution channels. As production capacity from Phase II is gradually released, the company expects to further expand its market share and strengthen the foundation for its long-term target of reaching RMB 100 billion in annual output value.

The commissioning of the 80 GWh second-phase project represents another important step in Chuneng New Energy’s development from an emerging battery manufacturer into a large-scale new energy battery production base. The expansion reflects the company’s continued focus on technological innovation, intelligent manufacturing and large-scale capacity development.

With the new project entering operation, Chuneng New Energy is expected to further strengthen its battery manufacturing capabilities and consolidate its position in the rapidly developing lithium battery and energy storage markets.