Recently, the energy storage and EV battery production base of Contemporary Amperex Technology Shandong Co., Ltd. (CATL Shandong) was officially put into operation in Yanzhou District, Jining City. As CATL's first production base in Northern China and its largest-capacity facility in the region to date, the project marks a significant strategic expansion.

The new plant, constructed to the "Lighthouse Factory + Zero-Carbon Plant" standards, is equipped with the world's most advanced digitalized and intelligent production lines. The project is being developed in three phases, with the newly operational Phase 1 boasting 60GWh annual production capacity, 800+ mu (53 hectares) site area, and 520,000 sqm total floor space (fully integrated smart manufacturing complex covering production facilities to employee amenities). Phases 2 and 3 are scheduled to start production in 2025 and 2026 respectively, poised to establish a global leading new energy battery cluster with a RMB 100-billion-level output value.

Lin Wu, Secretary of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee, and Robin Zeng, CATL's Chairman and CEO, held in-depth discussions on establishing a zero-carbon ecosystem. Lin Wu emphasized Shandong's commitment to further optimizing the business environment and providing full-fledged support for CATL's operations in the province. Robin Zeng stated that CATL, transcending its role as a battery manufacturer, intends to integrate its technological leadership and decarbonization expertise to develop an efficient, clean, and secure zero-carbon industrial ecosystem. This initiative is expected to accelerate the deployment of innovative new energy projects in Shandong, bolstering the province's green and high-quality development in the sector.

During the event, CATL signed a package of strategic cooperation agreements with multiple parties, including zero-carbon city partnership with Jining City, and battery-swap partnership with Shandong Department of Transport. In addition, a new energy industrial park development agreement was signed between CATL Shandong and Jining City. A green smart shipping corridor project along the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal will be jointly developed by CAEV, the electric vessel arm of CATL, and the Jining Port & Shipping Group.

Moving forward, CATL and Shandong Province will advance strategic collaborations to establish provincial-level demonstration zones covering NEV battery-swap networks, Bohai Rim low-altitude economy and electrification of inland waterways & coastal shipping, The two parties also agree to accelerate the development of the Dongying Zero-Carbon Industrial Park, creating benchmark zero-carbon applications across Shandong.