Robin Zeng: Pioneering the Sustainable Energy Era with Zero Carbon Technology
On February 3, 2026, Dr. Robin Zeng, Chairman and CEO of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), delivered a pivotal speech at the World Laureate Summit and the World Governments Summit held in Dubai. In his address, he elaborated on how contemporary advancements in technology are ushering in the era of sustainable energy, driven primarily by what he termed 'Zero Carbon' technology.
Zeng emphasized that throughout human history, energy has been a crucial catalyst for civilizational growth. Each significant advancement in humanity has coincided with an energy revolution. Today, we find ourselves in a transformative energy transition, akin to the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural communities. We are moving from an era of reliance on fossil fuels to one where energy can be harvested from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, and efficiently stored in batteries.
Key factors driving this revolution include scientific and technological progress that provide innovative solutions while significantly reducing costs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), the costs associated with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and solar installations have plummeted by approximately 80% over the last decade. Sustainable energy solutions have evolved from being mere technical possibilities to economically viable choices for diverse applications.
CATL stands at the forefront of facilitating renewable energy's true economic competitiveness across various sectors. For example, in the mining industry in Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo, CATL operates solar plus storage systems that provide power to remote operations at about a quarter of the cost of traditional diesel generators. A similar transition is occurring in industrial applications; in Pakistan, rapid growth in decentralized solar energy combined with CATL's energy storage solutions has ensured reliable power supply for local cement plants, halving electricity costs.
Californian power systems are becoming a model for the future, showcasing how expanded energy storage capacity can mitigate the notorious 'duck curve' generated by high renewable energy penetration. In 2025, the state's electricity grid experienced over 1,800 hours where clean energy met or exceeded total electricity demand, demonstrating the potential of integrating renewable energies and storage systems.
Zeng highlighted a broader trend where the utilization of clean energy is no longer solely driven by climate goals but has become the most economically viable option in many regions. He welcomed the profound transition toward a net-zero energy era, envisioning future energy systems characterized as distributed, intelligent, and circular.
The future of energy systems will witness the proliferation of decentralized power systems that incorporate renewable energy sources alongside modern battery storage, particularly in areas with weakened grid infrastructure. This evolution will replace a significant portion of centrally generated fossil fuel energy reliant on massive power stations and strong grid systems.
However, a high proportion of renewable energy also presents new challenges to the stable operation of power systems. To address these, CATL has developed innovative grid-forming high voltage energy storage technology that serves as a stabilizer for carbon-free energy systems. This technology regulates grid frequency, compensates for reactive power, manages damping, and supports system inertia. Additionally, it offers excellent black start capabilities critical during widespread power outages, as observed in Spain last year.
This technology has been successfully validated through technical trials, and in China, CATL is using it to establish an off-grid industrial park fully powered by wind and solar energy, feeding a 40 GWh battery system. Such advancements illustrate how innovative energy technologies can create a net-zero power system.
Furthermore, future energy systems will be smarter. They will possess the capacity to process large data volumes and adjust to fluctuations in renewable energy generation and consumption. Advanced AI-driven planning and optimization will be essential for balancing energy supply and demand. For instance, CATL is using AI to enhance energy system management for SenseTime’s AI Data Center in Shanghai to effectively cater to its variable energy demand.
Zeng also stressed the importance of a circular economy in achieving carbon-free energy. Unlike fossil fuels, which are consumed upon use, materials for carbon-free energy systems can be recycled. CATL leads the industry in this regard, achieving recovery rates of 99.6% for nickel and cobalt and 96.5% for lithium. To ensure a stable and sustainable supply of essential raw materials, CATL is working closely with NGOs and industry competitors to promote a circular economy within this sector.
As advancements in carbon-free technologies accelerate, the sustainable energy era is no longer a distant vision but is quickly approaching. By 2030, Zeng anticipates the genuine onset of this new energy age. The foundation of this progress relies on scientific research, material science breakthroughs, and innovations in artificial intelligence and new energy systems. Yet, he candidly acknowledged that with current technologies, only about 30% of what is necessary for a completely sustainable energy system has been achieved. Numerous pioneering technologies still need development, leaving ample groundwork for future research.
For technology to effect real change, it must transcend laboratory confines and be deployed on a large scale. Presently, breakthroughs in areas like condensed battery technology, solid-state batteries, and perovskite solar cells have been made, but much work remains to transition these innovations from the lab to market application. Consequently, CATL is investing heavily in research and development—more than all other industry players combined, reflecting its commitment to driving this evolution.
The fight against global warming, while primarily perceived as a climate issue, is fundamentally an energy problem and a core development challenge. Zeng highlighted that international collaboration is the most efficient pathway to addressing this challenge. CATL is prepared to share its battery technologies and experiences globally, evolving from the initial phase of battery exports to the concept of 'local production for local markets'. They also license technologies to partners to assist them in building their own battery facilities.
To facilitate the transition towards sustainable energy, it is essential to make advanced energy technologies more efficient and affordable globally. However, regulatory obstacles in construction and equipment have often led to elevated production costs in various markets, prompting Zeng to propose the establishment of special economic zones with construction and equipment regulations mirroring those of China, thus enhancing productivity as observed in the Chinese model.
In conclusion, recent studies by Columbia University predict a temperature rise of 1.7 degrees Celsius by 2027 compared to pre-industrial levels. To combat global warming, urgent action is required to develop a sustainable energy system, necessitating technological breakthroughs alongside bravery and wisdom in their implementation. As a pioneer in the energy transition, CATL is eager to collaborate more closely with the scientific community, governments, and businesses committed to this critical pursuit. Zeng concluded, urging all stakeholders to unite and strive towards a net-zero energy future, ultimately leaving behind a healthy and green planet for generations to come.
Zeng emphasized that throughout human history, energy has been a crucial catalyst for civilizational growth. Each significant advancement in humanity has coincided with an energy revolution. Today, we find ourselves in a transformative energy transition, akin to the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural communities. We are moving from an era of reliance on fossil fuels to one where energy can be harvested from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, and efficiently stored in batteries.
Key factors driving this revolution include scientific and technological progress that provide innovative solutions while significantly reducing costs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), the costs associated with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and solar installations have plummeted by approximately 80% over the last decade. Sustainable energy solutions have evolved from being mere technical possibilities to economically viable choices for diverse applications.
CATL stands at the forefront of facilitating renewable energy's true economic competitiveness across various sectors. For example, in the mining industry in Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo, CATL operates solar plus storage systems that provide power to remote operations at about a quarter of the cost of traditional diesel generators. A similar transition is occurring in industrial applications; in Pakistan, rapid growth in decentralized solar energy combined with CATL's energy storage solutions has ensured reliable power supply for local cement plants, halving electricity costs.
Californian power systems are becoming a model for the future, showcasing how expanded energy storage capacity can mitigate the notorious 'duck curve' generated by high renewable energy penetration. In 2025, the state's electricity grid experienced over 1,800 hours where clean energy met or exceeded total electricity demand, demonstrating the potential of integrating renewable energies and storage systems.
Zeng highlighted a broader trend where the utilization of clean energy is no longer solely driven by climate goals but has become the most economically viable option in many regions. He welcomed the profound transition toward a net-zero energy era, envisioning future energy systems characterized as distributed, intelligent, and circular.
The future of energy systems will witness the proliferation of decentralized power systems that incorporate renewable energy sources alongside modern battery storage, particularly in areas with weakened grid infrastructure. This evolution will replace a significant portion of centrally generated fossil fuel energy reliant on massive power stations and strong grid systems.
However, a high proportion of renewable energy also presents new challenges to the stable operation of power systems. To address these, CATL has developed innovative grid-forming high voltage energy storage technology that serves as a stabilizer for carbon-free energy systems. This technology regulates grid frequency, compensates for reactive power, manages damping, and supports system inertia. Additionally, it offers excellent black start capabilities critical during widespread power outages, as observed in Spain last year.
This technology has been successfully validated through technical trials, and in China, CATL is using it to establish an off-grid industrial park fully powered by wind and solar energy, feeding a 40 GWh battery system. Such advancements illustrate how innovative energy technologies can create a net-zero power system.
Furthermore, future energy systems will be smarter. They will possess the capacity to process large data volumes and adjust to fluctuations in renewable energy generation and consumption. Advanced AI-driven planning and optimization will be essential for balancing energy supply and demand. For instance, CATL is using AI to enhance energy system management for SenseTime’s AI Data Center in Shanghai to effectively cater to its variable energy demand.
Zeng also stressed the importance of a circular economy in achieving carbon-free energy. Unlike fossil fuels, which are consumed upon use, materials for carbon-free energy systems can be recycled. CATL leads the industry in this regard, achieving recovery rates of 99.6% for nickel and cobalt and 96.5% for lithium. To ensure a stable and sustainable supply of essential raw materials, CATL is working closely with NGOs and industry competitors to promote a circular economy within this sector.
As advancements in carbon-free technologies accelerate, the sustainable energy era is no longer a distant vision but is quickly approaching. By 2030, Zeng anticipates the genuine onset of this new energy age. The foundation of this progress relies on scientific research, material science breakthroughs, and innovations in artificial intelligence and new energy systems. Yet, he candidly acknowledged that with current technologies, only about 30% of what is necessary for a completely sustainable energy system has been achieved. Numerous pioneering technologies still need development, leaving ample groundwork for future research.
For technology to effect real change, it must transcend laboratory confines and be deployed on a large scale. Presently, breakthroughs in areas like condensed battery technology, solid-state batteries, and perovskite solar cells have been made, but much work remains to transition these innovations from the lab to market application. Consequently, CATL is investing heavily in research and development—more than all other industry players combined, reflecting its commitment to driving this evolution.
The fight against global warming, while primarily perceived as a climate issue, is fundamentally an energy problem and a core development challenge. Zeng highlighted that international collaboration is the most efficient pathway to addressing this challenge. CATL is prepared to share its battery technologies and experiences globally, evolving from the initial phase of battery exports to the concept of 'local production for local markets'. They also license technologies to partners to assist them in building their own battery facilities.
To facilitate the transition towards sustainable energy, it is essential to make advanced energy technologies more efficient and affordable globally. However, regulatory obstacles in construction and equipment have often led to elevated production costs in various markets, prompting Zeng to propose the establishment of special economic zones with construction and equipment regulations mirroring those of China, thus enhancing productivity as observed in the Chinese model.
In conclusion, recent studies by Columbia University predict a temperature rise of 1.7 degrees Celsius by 2027 compared to pre-industrial levels. To combat global warming, urgent action is required to develop a sustainable energy system, necessitating technological breakthroughs alongside bravery and wisdom in their implementation. As a pioneer in the energy transition, CATL is eager to collaborate more closely with the scientific community, governments, and businesses committed to this critical pursuit. Zeng concluded, urging all stakeholders to unite and strive towards a net-zero energy future, ultimately leaving behind a healthy and green planet for generations to come.
Topics Energy）
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