China Mobile Breaks Ground on 7MW/42MWh Vanadium Flow Battery Energy Storage Project in Anhui, China
Date: 26 Oct 2026 |
22 October 2026 – Construction has officially commenced on a 7MW/42MWh vanadium flow battery (VFB) energy storage project at China Mobile's Yangtze River Delta (Huainan) Data Center in Anhui Province, China. With a total investment of approximately RMB 110 million (US$15 million), the project represents a significant milestone in the application of long-duration energy storage technology to China's rapidly expanding data center industry.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 21 October in the Huainan High-tech Development Zone, bringing together representatives from the project developer, Wenergy Aggregated Smart Energy, China Mobile Anhui, Huadian Anhui, Conch Ronghua, and other participating organizations.
A Landmark Project for Vanadium Flow Battery Technology
Featuring a rated power capacity of 7MW and an energy storage capacity of 42MWh, the system will provide up to six hours of electricity storage at full rated output. It is designed to address the growing demand for reliable, flexible, and sustainable power supplies in energy-intensive data center operations.
According to the project announcement, this is the first dedicated data center energy storage project among China's three major telecommunications operators. Upon completion, it is expected to become the country's largest commercial and industrial vanadium flow battery energy storage installation, establishing a benchmark for long-duration energy storage applications in Anhui Province.
The project will provide essential energy management functions, including peak shaving, load shifting, and backup power support. By optimizing electricity consumption and improving power supply flexibility, the system is expected to reduce the data center's energy costs, enhance operational reliability, and contribute to its green and low-carbon transformation.
Strengthening the Integration of Computing and Energy Infrastructure
Beyond its technical significance, the project supports China's emerging strategy of coordinating computing infrastructure with electricity systems, commonly referred to as computing-power and electricity coordination (算电协同).
By integrating long-duration energy storage directly into data center operations, the project demonstrates a practical approach to managing the increasing electricity demands of digital infrastructure while supporting the development of a more flexible power system.
For the developer, the installation also represents an important strategic expansion from generation-side energy storage toward customer-side applications and integrated energy services. The project is expected to generate valuable engineering experience for the wider commercial deployment of vanadium flow battery technology.
Supporting the Growth of Long-Duration Energy Storage
The Huainan demonstration project highlights the growing role of vanadium flow batteries in commercial and industrial energy storage, particularly for applications requiring extended discharge durations and dependable electricity supply.
Its implementation is expected to provide a replicable model for integrating long-duration energy storage with large electricity consumers, while supporting Anhui Province's development of a new-type power system.
As demand for data center electricity continues to increase, the project illustrates the potential of vanadium flow battery technology to support more economical, reliable, and sustainable digital infrastructure.
Source: ASIACHEM, 22 October 2026.