Global Energy Transition Speech
Dr. Robin Zeng, Chairman and CEO of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), delivered a keynote at the World Laureate Summit and the World Governments Summit in Dubai, highlighting how zero‑carbon technologies are reshaping the global energy landscape. He emphasized that humanity is entering a new energy era, moving from fossil fuel dependence to renewable generation and advanced storage.
Falling Costs Drive Adoption
According to industry data, the cost of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and solar power has dropped by about 80% over the past decade. CATL is leveraging this trend to make renewable energy economically competitive across sectors. In Chile and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, CATL’s solar‑plus‑storage systems are powering mining operations at a fraction of diesel costs. In Pakistan, distributed solar combined with CATL storage has cut electricity expenses for cement plants by half. California’s grid has already recorded over 1,800 hours in 2025 when clean energy met or exceeded demand, underscoring the viability of renewables at scale.
Defining the Future Energy System
Zeng described the future energy system with three defining characteristics: distributed, intelligent, and circular.
- Distributed: Renewable generation and storage will proliferate, especially in regions with weak grid infrastructure.
- Intelligent: AI‑driven scheduling and optimization will balance supply and demand, as demonstrated in CATL’s work with SenseTime’s AI Data Center in Shanghai.
- Circular: Recycling of critical materials is essential. CATL has achieved recovery rates of 99.6% for nickel and cobalt, and 96.5% for lithium, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable supply chains.
Technology Innovation and Deployment
CATL has developed high‑voltage grid‑forming energy storage technology to stabilize zero‑carbon systems, offering frequency regulation, reactive power compensation, and black‑start capabilities. This innovation is being applied in China to power an off‑grid industrial park supplying a 40GWh battery plant entirely with wind, solar, and storage. Zeng stressed that while science shows what is possible, engineering and manufacturing determine how quickly solutions scale. CATL continues to invest heavily in R&D, advancing condensed batteries, solid‑state batteries, and perovskite solar cells.
International Cooperation and Market Expansion
Zeng highlighted CATL’s evolution from exporting batteries to establishing local production for local markets. The company is licensing technologies to partners worldwide to accelerate adoption. He proposed creating special economic zones with harmonized building and equipment regulations to reduce production costs and scale advanced energy technologies more efficiently.
Investment Perspective
CATL’s vision positions the company at the center of the global energy transition. By combining technological innovation, recycling leadership, and international cooperation, CATL is building momentum toward a sustainable energy era. For investors, the company’s heavy R&D investment and proven ability to scale solutions suggest long‑term growth potential as zero‑carbon technologies become commercially dominant.
Conclusion
Robin Zeng’s speech underscores CATL’s role as a pioneer in the net‑zero energy movement. With distributed systems, intelligent management, and circular supply chains, the company is shaping the foundation of a sustainable energy future.
About the Company
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) CATL (SSE: 300750) is a global leader in lithium‑ion battery development and manufacturing, headquartered in Ningde, China. The company supplies advanced energy storage solutions for electric vehicles, renewable power systems, and industrial applications, and is recognized for its leadership in battery recycling and zero‑carbon innovation.
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