At the 2024 China New Energy Storage Industry Development Conference held on Sept 23 in Baotou – located in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region – the city unveiled its ambitious blueprints to develop itself into a China Energy Storage City.

Baotou plans to build a manufacturing base for energy storage equipment and to establish centers for R&D and various demonstration projects. The goal is to achieve an industrial output of 50 billion yuan ($7.09 billion) within three years.

Following its 2023 designation as the "World Green Silicon City" by the Global Green Energy Council, Baotou is now aiming to consolidate its position as a leader in energy storage.

With a strong industrial foundation and a leading position in Inner Mongolia’s energy storage sector, the city is deemed to be well positioned to support China's transition to a new energy system.

Baotou currently has 19 companies operating within its energy storage sector – covering areas such as batteries, anode and cathode materials, copper and aluminum foils and battery management systems.

The city has a production capacity of 7 gigawatt hours in energy storage batteries and 600 energy storage systems – making it one of the most comprehensive industrial hubs for energy storage in Inner Mongolia.

What's more, Baotou's considerable renewable energy resources and ongoing large-scale projects are creating substantial demand for energy storage.

As a result, the city has already signed key agreements to collaborate with energy giants on energy storage stations and system developments.

Supported by abundant green energy, Baotou is set to lower production costs and increase the use of renewable electricity in manufacturing.

With favorable policies, a growing number of projects and a welcoming business environment, Baotou is said to be accelerating its move towards becoming China's energy storage capital.