Global Energy Storage Shipments Surge 83.45% To 303.4 GWh In H1 2026

The global energy storage market recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, supported by rising demand for both utility-scale and behind-the-meter applications. According to the latest shipment rankings from market intelligence firm InfoLink Consulting, global energy storage system shipments reached 303.4 GWh during the first six months of 2026, marking an 83.45% increase compared with the same period last year. Based on strong market activity and upstream procurement trends, InfoLink has raised its full-year 2026 global shipment forecast to 662 GWh.

The market continued to consolidate around leading suppliers, although competition remained intense. BYD, Sungrow, Huawei, Tesla, and HyperStrong ranked as the top five global energy storage suppliers during the first half of the year. Tesla recorded a strong recovery in the second quarter, creating a close race among the leading companies. However, industry expectations suggest that the full-year competition is likely to focus mainly on BYD and Sungrow.

HyperStrong secured the fifth position globally, supported by its growing presence in European markets and continued expansion in China. Meanwhile, strong growth in behind-the-meter applications helped residential-focused companies such as Sigenergy and Deye enter the global top ten suppliers for the first time.

Utility-scale energy storage remained the largest contributor to overall market growth. Shipments in this segment reached 260.33 GWh during the first half of 2026, representing a 79.6% year-over-year increase. BYD and Sungrow maintained a significant lead in the utility-scale segment, followed by Tesla, Huawei, and HyperStrong.

The second half of 2026 could bring further changes to the competitive landscape as suppliers increasingly target international markets. Europe and the Middle East are expected to become important growth regions as companies look beyond their more mature domestic markets. Energy storage systems designed for artificial intelligence data centers are also emerging as a major opportunity. Several leading integrators have reportedly secured order backlogs exceeding 10 GWh for this application.

Residential energy storage recorded even faster growth. Shipments increased 137.67% year over year to 39.07 GWh in the first half. Fox ESS ranked first in the residential segment, followed by Sigenergy, Deye, Huawei, and GoodWe.

The rapid expansion of Sigenergy and Deye demonstrates how suppliers can build strong positions in individual markets before expanding internationally. Their growing global presence reflects increasing competition among residential storage providers. Going forward, the recovery of European demand and competition in Australia are expected to remain important indicators for the residential storage market.

Despite strong demand, manufacturers faced challenges from fluctuations in raw material prices during the early months of 2026. Rising and volatile input costs affected supply chain schedules and delivery margins, creating additional pressure for manufacturers and integrators.

Market analysts expect procurement strategies, raw material prices, and regional policy changes to remain important factors for the industry during the rest of 2026. Companies will need to improve procurement planning, manage supply chains efficiently, and respond quickly to changing subsidies and regulations. With global shipments expected to reach 662 GWh for the full year, the energy storage sector is positioned for another year of significant expansion.