Output of major energy storage battery maker more than doubles

By Gao Qing

Output at Cornex New Energy’s energy storage battery production base in Yichang has more than doubled year on year, company executives said on October 16.

At the Cornex New Energy base, four workshops in Phase I are operating at full capacity to meet growing global demand. Meanwhile, production lines in Phase II are ramping up output of the company’s next generation 588Ah large-capacity energy storage cells.

Aerial view of Cornex New Energy production base in Yichang

“More than 5,000 employees worked through the recent Golden Week holiday to ensure timely deliveries,” said Deputy General Manager Jiao Linsen.

Phase I began operations in August 2023. Shipments have more than tripled year on year, while the company’s output value exceeded 7.5 billion yuan (US$1.1 billion) in the first half of 2026.

Cornex ranked among the world’s top three manufacturers in terms of energy storage cell shipments in 2025.

Phase II, which began production in August, manufactures next-generation battery cells with an energy density of 190 Wh/kg and a 12,000-cycle lifespan. Cumulative orders have already exceeded 50 GWh. Once the base reaches full production capacity, it is expected to generate more than 22 billion yuan in annual revenue.

Energy storage cells on the production line.

Local authorities have shifted their support from construction to operations. After learning that the company’s overseas shipments relied heavily on land transportation, they began planning a combined river and land transportation route along the Yangtze River to reduce export logistics costs.

Cornex has also contributed to the growth of the local energy storage battery industry and created local jobs. The company has hired more than 7,000 employees, including 3,000 Yichang natives, with plans to boost its total headcount by 6,000 more.

Jin Xiaoyan contributed to this story.