The Dawn of Sustainable Energy Era with Zero Carbon Emission Technology
On February 3, 2026, Dr. Robin Zeng, the Chairman and CEO of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), delivered a groundbreaking speech at the World Laureate Summit in Dubai. His address centered around the future of energy and the remarkable transition towards sustainable energy driven by zero-carbon emission technologies.
Dr. Zeng emphasized that energy has historically fueled the growth of civilization, and we are now witnessing a significant shift comparable to previous energy revolutions throughout human history. As we evolve from dependence on fossil fuels to harnessing renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, our approach to energy generation and storage is rapidly changing.
A key point of Dr. Zeng's presentation was how advancements in science and technology have drastically reduced costs and improved the viability of sustainable energy solutions. Over the past decade, the costs of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and solar panels have plummeted by approximately 80%, making renewable energy not only technically feasible but also financially compelling. CATL's contributions to renewable energy ensure that these sources achieve genuine economic competitiveness across various applications.
In multiple regions, such as Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo, CATL's solar and storage systems have been deployed in the mining sector, providing electricity to remote operations at about one-fourth the cost of diesel generators. This revolution extends to industrial sectors as well; in Pakistan, the rapid growth of distributed solar energy, combined with CATL's storage solutions, is delivering reliable energy to local cement factories and cutting their electricity costs by half. The state of California illustrates the potential of future energy systems on a grid level, where an expanded storage capacity has mitigated the challenges of high renewable energy shares.
In 2025, the grid recorded over 1,800 hours where net energy covered or exceeded total electricity demand, showcasing the remarkable achievements possible through the integration of renewable sources and storage technologies. Dr. Zeng remarked that numerous regions are transitioning to clean energy not just for climate targets but also because of the commercial advantages made possible by technological advancements.
As we move towards an era of zero net energy consumption, Dr. Zeng articulated three defining characteristics of future energy systems: distribution, intelligence, and circularity. Distributed energy systems, incorporating renewable energy generation and advanced battery storage technologies, are expected to proliferate globally, particularly in areas lacking strong grid infrastructure. These systems will replace centralized fossil fuel-based energy and extensive power generation facilities.
However, the growing share of renewable energy will present new challenges for the operational stability of energy systems. In response, CATL has developed innovative high-voltage energy storage technology, which is designed to serve as a stabilizer for zero carbon emissions energy systems. This technology can provide frequency regulation, reactive power compensation, and damping control, in addition to effective black start capabilities crucial for large-scale power outages, as previously seen in Spain last year.
The successful technical validation of this technology has been demonstrated in China, where an off-grid industrial park powered solely by wind and solar energy has been established, boasting an energy storage capacity sufficient for 40 GWh of battery production. This serves as a testament to how advanced energy technologies can create systems with zero net consumption.
Beyond distribution, future energy systems will also be imbued with intelligence, capable of processing extensive data to adapt to fluctuations in renewable energy generation and consumption. Balancing energy supply and demand will necessitate advanced planning and optimization, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). For instance, AI is currently employed to enhance energy system management at SenseTime's AI data center in Shanghai, effectively managing energy demand during computational tasks.
Lastly, the principle of circularity is critical for achieving zero carbon emission energy. Unlike fossil fuels that are consumed upon use, materials designed for zero emission energy systems are recyclable. CATL is leading the way in this initiative, achieving remarkable recovery rates in the industry—99.6% for nickel and cobalt, and 96.5% for lithium. Collaborating closely with NGOs and industry peers, CATL promotes circular economy practices in the sector to ensure stable and responsible sourcing of critical raw materials.
Given the continuous advancements in zero carbon emission technologies, the era of sustainable energy is rapidly becoming a reality rather than a distant vision. Dr. Zeng projects that by 2030, we will witness the true emergence of sustainable energy. However, this requires collaboration across scientific, governmental, and industrial arenas.
Ultimately, Dr. Zeng concluded that technology must transcend the boundaries of laboratories and achieve large-scale application. While significant breakthroughs have occurred in areas such as condensed batteries, semiconductor batteries, and perovskite solar cells, much work remains to bring these innovations from the lab to the marketplace. As such, CATL is committed to investing heavily in research and development, surpassing all other players in the industry combined.
While combating global warming appears to be a climate issue, fundamentally, it is an energy and development challenge. CATL believes that the most effective way to address this is through international collaboration, and they are eager to share their battery technologies and expertise globally. Transitioning from battery exports to local production for local markets and granting technology licenses to partners for building their own battery plants demonstrates this commitment.
To expedite the transition to an era of sustainable energy, advanced energy technologies need to be deployed more effectively and affordably on a global scale. Regulatory frameworks in some markets can inflate production costs, which raises concerns. To address this, Dr. Zeng proposed the establishment of special economic zones adopting similar building and equipment regulations as in China, which would enhance productivity rapidly.
In light of a recent study by Columbia University predicting a 1.7-degree Celsius rise in temperature by 2027 compared to pre-industrial levels, immediate action is required to construct a sustainable energy system. This necessitates technological advancements, courage, and wisdom.
As a pioneer of energy transformation, CATL is ready to collaborate closely with the scientific community, governments, businesses, and everyone committed to this mission. Working together towards zero net energy, we can ensure a healthy and green Earth for future generations.
Dr. Zeng emphasized that energy has historically fueled the growth of civilization, and we are now witnessing a significant shift comparable to previous energy revolutions throughout human history. As we evolve from dependence on fossil fuels to harnessing renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, our approach to energy generation and storage is rapidly changing.
A key point of Dr. Zeng's presentation was how advancements in science and technology have drastically reduced costs and improved the viability of sustainable energy solutions. Over the past decade, the costs of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and solar panels have plummeted by approximately 80%, making renewable energy not only technically feasible but also financially compelling. CATL's contributions to renewable energy ensure that these sources achieve genuine economic competitiveness across various applications.
In multiple regions, such as Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo, CATL's solar and storage systems have been deployed in the mining sector, providing electricity to remote operations at about one-fourth the cost of diesel generators. This revolution extends to industrial sectors as well; in Pakistan, the rapid growth of distributed solar energy, combined with CATL's storage solutions, is delivering reliable energy to local cement factories and cutting their electricity costs by half. The state of California illustrates the potential of future energy systems on a grid level, where an expanded storage capacity has mitigated the challenges of high renewable energy shares.
In 2025, the grid recorded over 1,800 hours where net energy covered or exceeded total electricity demand, showcasing the remarkable achievements possible through the integration of renewable sources and storage technologies. Dr. Zeng remarked that numerous regions are transitioning to clean energy not just for climate targets but also because of the commercial advantages made possible by technological advancements.
As we move towards an era of zero net energy consumption, Dr. Zeng articulated three defining characteristics of future energy systems: distribution, intelligence, and circularity. Distributed energy systems, incorporating renewable energy generation and advanced battery storage technologies, are expected to proliferate globally, particularly in areas lacking strong grid infrastructure. These systems will replace centralized fossil fuel-based energy and extensive power generation facilities.
However, the growing share of renewable energy will present new challenges for the operational stability of energy systems. In response, CATL has developed innovative high-voltage energy storage technology, which is designed to serve as a stabilizer for zero carbon emissions energy systems. This technology can provide frequency regulation, reactive power compensation, and damping control, in addition to effective black start capabilities crucial for large-scale power outages, as previously seen in Spain last year.
The successful technical validation of this technology has been demonstrated in China, where an off-grid industrial park powered solely by wind and solar energy has been established, boasting an energy storage capacity sufficient for 40 GWh of battery production. This serves as a testament to how advanced energy technologies can create systems with zero net consumption.
Beyond distribution, future energy systems will also be imbued with intelligence, capable of processing extensive data to adapt to fluctuations in renewable energy generation and consumption. Balancing energy supply and demand will necessitate advanced planning and optimization, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). For instance, AI is currently employed to enhance energy system management at SenseTime's AI data center in Shanghai, effectively managing energy demand during computational tasks.
Lastly, the principle of circularity is critical for achieving zero carbon emission energy. Unlike fossil fuels that are consumed upon use, materials designed for zero emission energy systems are recyclable. CATL is leading the way in this initiative, achieving remarkable recovery rates in the industry—99.6% for nickel and cobalt, and 96.5% for lithium. Collaborating closely with NGOs and industry peers, CATL promotes circular economy practices in the sector to ensure stable and responsible sourcing of critical raw materials.
Given the continuous advancements in zero carbon emission technologies, the era of sustainable energy is rapidly becoming a reality rather than a distant vision. Dr. Zeng projects that by 2030, we will witness the true emergence of sustainable energy. However, this requires collaboration across scientific, governmental, and industrial arenas.
Ultimately, Dr. Zeng concluded that technology must transcend the boundaries of laboratories and achieve large-scale application. While significant breakthroughs have occurred in areas such as condensed batteries, semiconductor batteries, and perovskite solar cells, much work remains to bring these innovations from the lab to the marketplace. As such, CATL is committed to investing heavily in research and development, surpassing all other players in the industry combined.
While combating global warming appears to be a climate issue, fundamentally, it is an energy and development challenge. CATL believes that the most effective way to address this is through international collaboration, and they are eager to share their battery technologies and expertise globally. Transitioning from battery exports to local production for local markets and granting technology licenses to partners for building their own battery plants demonstrates this commitment.
To expedite the transition to an era of sustainable energy, advanced energy technologies need to be deployed more effectively and affordably on a global scale. Regulatory frameworks in some markets can inflate production costs, which raises concerns. To address this, Dr. Zeng proposed the establishment of special economic zones adopting similar building and equipment regulations as in China, which would enhance productivity rapidly.
In light of a recent study by Columbia University predicting a 1.7-degree Celsius rise in temperature by 2027 compared to pre-industrial levels, immediate action is required to construct a sustainable energy system. This necessitates technological advancements, courage, and wisdom.
As a pioneer of energy transformation, CATL is ready to collaborate closely with the scientific community, governments, businesses, and everyone committed to this mission. Working together towards zero net energy, we can ensure a healthy and green Earth for future generations.
Topics Energy）
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