Jinko ESS and UCB Power to Produce Energy Storage Systems in Brazil by 2027

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Jinko ESS, the energy storage division of Chinese photovoltaic module manufacturer Jinko Solar, has partnered with Brazilian company UCB Power to strengthen its presence in Brazil's energy storage market. The first goal of this partnership is centered on Brazil's first capacity reserve auction specifically dedicated to BESS systems. The auction features two distinct models for domestically manufactured equipment and other qualifying projects.

Under the agreement, UCB Power will be responsible for assembling Jinko ESS equipment in Brazil, an arrangement that enables the company to participate both in auctions for locally content-based systems and in subsequent tenders open to imported equipment. Mauro Scarpato, BESS Sales Director at Jinko ESS Brazil, noted that the company has already established a footprint in Latin America, where 2 GWh of systems have been installed and are in operation. The partnership with UCB Power combines Jinko ESS's technology and products with the Brazilian company's local industrial capabilities.

UCB Power plans to leverage its more than five decades of lead-acid battery manufacturing experience to provide local content for Jinko ESS's energy storage solutions. The company already produces low-voltage batteries in Brazil and carries out the full process locally, from cell reception to final product assembly. UCB Power operates as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), supplying batteries to major electronics manufacturers, with clients including Samsung, Motorola, and Lenovo.

The first localization route, referred to as "Route 1" in the methodology of Brazil's National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), will be implemented at UCB Power's plant in Extrema, Minas Gerais. The company also operates another facility in Manaus, Amazonas, and the two companies may jointly evaluate other production options in the future as market demand evolves. Production capacity planning will depend on the final localization route selected and the volume of equipment contracted; if the Manaus facility is utilized, annual capacity is estimated between 1.5 GWh and 4.5 GWh depending on the number of shifts. The current partnership covers the first production route in Extrema, with other options to be evaluated at a later stage.

This partnership comes at a time of rising interest in large-scale energy storage in Brazil. Brazil's Energy Research Company (EPE) has registered 6,091 projects for the capacity reserve auction focused on BESS systems in 2026, corresponding to 296,807 MW of power, although these projects still need to pass through review and technical qualification phases.

For the projects planned to be supplied, Jinko ESS is preparing a new containerized energy storage system with a capacity of 6.25 MWh. This equipment is in the final stages of certification and is expected to gradually replace the current mainstream 5 MWh configuration. The new product uses higher-capacity cells, upgrading from the 314 Ah cells used in the 5 MWh model to 587 Ah cells in the 6.25 MWh unit. This change increases energy density while maintaining the same external container dimensions, but adds to the weight of the integrated unit. The product to be localized in Brazil corresponds to Jinko ESS's SunTera G3 model, which the company currently positions as a 6.25 MWh utility-scale solution for grid-connected, off-grid, and large-scale applications.

The deployment timeline has been established based on the expected milestones for projects awarded in the auction. Following contract confirmation, the first units produced in Brazil are expected to come off the line approximately eight months later. UCB Power is preparing its production lines and evaluating the adjustments required for the different manufacturing routes. The strategic plan calls for equipment shipments to begin in the first half of 2027, with initial deliveries completed in the second half. Projects contracted through the auction must be operational by August 1, 2028, which means the entire supply chain and construction schedule must be planned in reverse.

Although the capacity reserve auction is the primary short-term target, Jinko ESS also plans to expand its Brazilian BESS market operations into the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment. Residential applications are currently not a priority, as the company is targeting larger energy consumers. Identified target areas include agriculture, particularly rural properties not connected to the grid; hospitals are also a target market segment, where storage can replace or supplement traditional generators. Jinko ESS has already reached agreements with distributors to expand its presence in Brazil and has systems in operation in the country, with partners including Fortlev and JSN/SB Solar. The company plans to gradually scale up operations through its distribution network to reach new commercial and industrial customers.

Meanwhile, Jinko ESS continues to expand its global manufacturing capabilities. The company plans to build a 48 GWh plant in China by the end of 2027, which will enhance its ability to supply the Brazilian market as storage demand grows there.