CATL projects a disruptive scenario based on the emergence of sodium ion as one of the most relevant changes in the battery storage industry, not only because of its technological evolution but also because of its potential impact on prices.
“In a state of mass production parity, the cost of the sodium cell could be less than half that of a lithium one,” said Ricardo Garro, Sales Director Latam Energy Storage Solutions of the company during his participation in the streaming “It had to be said and it was said” of Energía Estratégica.
“Sodium is today a turning point in the evolution of storage technology; it is no longer of the future, it is a reality (...) And from 2028 onwards, it can already be considered as a viable large-scale option for, for example, data center projects ,” Garro anticipated, outlining a concrete roadmap for its adoption.
“,” the executive said, alluding to a structural change that could redefine the competitiveness of different chemical companies in the global market.
The availability of raw materials reinforces the economic appeal of sodium in the medium term, given that reserves reach 10 to the power of 11, compared to 10 to the power of 6 for lithium, demonstrating a structural difference that enables a significant reduction in costs as mass production progresses.
The turning point lies not only in the technical promise, but in the scale achieved , something that is beginning to materialize with the agreement signed between CATL and HyperStrong for 60 GWh in three years .
“ This is the world’s first large-scale contract announced for sodium technology ,” said the executive, who emphasized that this marks the transition from a developing innovation to a commercial solution.
At the same time, Garro clarified that this new chemistry will not displace current solutions in the short term, but will be integrated into the existing ecosystem and will be a complement.
“There are already hybrid battery packs for electric vehicles that combine LFP and sodium cells in the same system,” he said.
In fact, LFP continues to lead the market due to its industrial maturity, while " it remains the most economical option today," until sodium reaches equivalent production scales.
Where sodium competes and how it integrates into LFP
The technical differences between the two chemistries ultimately define their use cases in the market. While LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) has a higher energy density (160–200 Wh/kg) , sodium currently ranges from 140–160 Wh/kg , which implies greater space requirements.
“ A sodium battery requires almost twice the physical space of an LFP battery ,” noted the CATL representative.
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However, this difference is offset by key advantages in safety, lifespan and operational efficiency , critical factors in certain applications.
“ Sodium is inherently a much more stable and safer element in battery operation. It makes it almost impossible for a battery to reach a point of no return due to heat,” he noted.
This attribute not only reduces risks but also directly impacts system operation. Sodium, as Garro explained, doesn't require as many cooling systems, making it more efficient to operate , which translates into lower energy consumption and reduced operating costs.
“ We have achieved 15,000 life cycles per sodium cell ,” the specialist highlighted, a performance that equals or even surpasses current lithium technologies.
In this context, the first adoption cases are beginning to concentrate in segments where security and operational stability are critical , such as data centers.
This advance is not isolated, but is part of a broader evolution of energy storage , historically linked to the development of electric mobility with chemistries such as NCM and NCA, which were later adapted to storage containers.
Along the same lines, sodium is beginning to replicate this path toward mass adoption. The technology already has commercial applications in mobile applications , which accelerates its learning curve and deployment in stationary storage.
At a regional level, some markets are emerging as key spaces to validate the role of storage, including the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Chile and Mexico, which have stand-alone BESS processes underway.
However, the interviewee warned about current challenges such as curtailment and noted that monitoring its evolution will be key to preventing it from impacting private investment and financing. Even so, he emphasized that the outlook is favorable and anticipated that "the sector is on the verge of a surge in new storage projects."
FES as the epicenter of the debate
The Future Energy Summit tour will continue with FES Guatemala on May 14 and FES Mexico on May 19, where key players from the public and private sectors will address the challenges and opportunities linked to the expansion of the energy system, new investment schemes and the execution of strategic projects.
To access the full FES 2026 tour schedule, learn more about it and be part of the meetings, the FES digital platform is available, while all events will have a live broadcast through the official Future Energy Summit YouTube channel.
For inquiries and more information, please contact info@futurenergysummit.com