June Newsletter 2026
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Dear Battery Pioneers, Welcome to Battery Associates' June newsletter. We have summarised some of the month's most relevant news, highlighting recent developments and updates across the battery industry. B.A’s Battery Newsletter:
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Battery Industry Highlights In this section, we summarise relevant battery news from the past month. |
NatPower and Tesla sign 25+ GWh European BESS supply and execution agreement On June 23, 2026, NatPower and Tesla signed a multi-year supply and execution agreement covering more than 25 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Italy and the United Kingdom. This agreement represents the first phase of a broader programme targeting more than 100 GWh, with an estimated aggregate construction value of USD 4–5 billion. NatPower will own and operate the projects, while Tesla will supply Megapack systems, EPC services and energy trading through its Autobidder platform. |
B.A Commentary: This agreement reflects an emerging shift in European BESS deployment toward integrated execution models, in which battery supply, EPC delivery, and trading optimisation are combined within a single framework, reducing coordination risk across multi-country, multi-site portfolios where grid connection timelines, permitting, and merchant revenue design increasingly determine project viability. The inclusion of Tesla's Autobidder highlights the growing role of software-driven dispatch optimisation in supporting revenue optimisation and financing visibility for large-scale storage assets, particularly in the UK and Italian markets. |
On June 18, 2026, Energy Fuels announced a conditional commitment for up to USD 725 million in senior-secured debt from the U.S. Office of Strategic Capital to expand its critical minerals processing business. The financing would fund the planned expansion of the White Mesa Mill in Utah and the development of a U.S. facility for rare earth metals and alloys, subject to due diligence, definitive agreements, customary closing conditions, and approvals. If completed, the financing will provide long-term capital for processing rare earth elements and other critical materials from the company's portfolio of domestic and international projects. |
B.A Commentary: Recent U.S. government financing commitments indicate an increasing focus on expanding domestic rare earth processing capacity rather than resource development alone. Alongside Energy Fuels, the Office of Strategic Capital has issued conditional financing for other rare earth processing projects, reflecting broader efforts to strengthen domestic processing capabilities. For battery and advanced manufacturing supply chains, this suggests policy support is increasingly directed towards processing and conversion, where capacity continues to lag behind upstream resource development. |
On June 9, 2026, the European Commission launched the Battery Booster Facility, making up to EUR 1.5 billion available from the Innovation Fund to support battery cell manufacturing projects in the European Economic Area. This facility will provide interest-free loans of up to EUR 500 million per project to manufacturers producing battery cells for electric vehicles, with eligible projects required to have at least 10 GWh of production capacity. The first call for proposals is expected in Q3 2026, with the Commission aiming to select the first projects and make initial payments before the end of 2026. |
B.A Commentary: A 10 GWh entry threshold, an EV-cell focus and interest-free loans rather than grants all point to support for large projects that are already under construction or commissioning, but still need capital to work through yield losses, customer qualification and the long cash drain between first output and full utilisation. In that sense, the facility looks less like broad industrial support and more like an attempt to stop Europe's viable cell projects from stalling at the most capital-intensive stage of scale-up. |
UK announces GBP 1.3 billion clean energy and battery storage investment package at G7 summitOn June 16, 2026, the UK government announced GBP 1.3 billion in investment from French and Indian companies to support clean energy and AI projects. The package includes GBP 1 billion from InfraVia for battery storage and flexible energy projects, alongside more than GBP 300 million from Atri Energy Transition to develop large-scale battery storage and advanced manufacturing in the UK. These investments form part of the government's strategy to strengthen energy security by expanding battery storage capacity and improving grid flexibility. |
B.A Commentary: Rather than funding a standalone battery project, InfraVia's investment builds on the recent creation of Supernova Power, which combines operating battery storage assets with an extensive UK development pipeline. The platform brings together project development, construction, operations and energy management within a single business, reflecting an integrated approach to developing and operating battery storage assets. |
NOVONIX delivers mass production synthetic graphite qualification sample to Panasonic On June 11, 2026, NOVONIX announced the delivery of a mass production qualification (C-sample) of its synthetic graphite anode active material (AAM) to Panasonic Energy. According to the company, this is the first known delivery of a synthetic graphite AAM C-sample produced in North America. The material has met NOVONIX's internal performance specifications, with formal qualification remaining subject to Panasonic's validation process. Successful qualification would support the planned commencement of Panasonic's commercial production in the second half of 2027. |
B.A Commentary: Customer qualification is one of the most critical stages in commercialising battery materials, as production capacity alone does not translate into commercial supply. NOVONIX's C-sample delivery indicates the company has progressed into the final stages of qualification with Panasonic, bringing it closer to planned commercial production in the second half of 2027, subject to successful validation. The significance is reinforced by Panasonic's existing binding offtake agreement, with the qualification process advancing an established commercial supply relationship towards full-scale production. |
The New BatteryMBA Website is Live You might have noticed that our educational platform looks a bit different. Following last year’s brand update, we have officially launched a brand-new website for BatteryMBA this July. We’ve redesigned battery.mba to provide our fellows, alumni, and global community with a clearer, more cohesive digital experience. The updated site offers smoother navigation and easier access to our training programs, better reflecting who we are today and ensuring we can support your professional journey as the industry evolves. What began as a specialized training track has grown alongside our community into a premier platform for battery education and leadership. We are deeply grateful for your continued support, and we look forward to powering this next chapter of learning and growth together. |
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Company Member News |
Engineering Industries eXcellence Explore how leading battery manufacturers connect design, manufacturing and traceability through the digital thread. Find more information here: Link |
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Thermo Fisher Scientific Li-ion batteries continue to improve as energy storage needs increase. However, the understanding of the chemical reactions that happen within li-ion batteries is still not comprehensive, which can lead to failures, including explosions and fires during charging, use, and storage. Our new eBook explores how Raman spectroscopy can be utilized to study Li-ion batteries and their components, with a focus on the analysis of electrolytes and anode and cathode materials. Find more information here: Link |
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Ingun High-current battery testing requires reliable contacting without adding unnecessary weight or complexity Introducing the BCP-69x Solid Line – designed for low contact resistance, high current capability and easy integration into battery test systems. With its continuous plunger design, the series ensures stable electrical performance while supporting a lightweight and compact setup for demanding test applications. Available for cylindrical (46xx), prismatic and blade cells, as well as modules and packs. Learn more about the available variants:BCP-69x Solid Line : Link |
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Join BatteryMBA BatteryMBA's next cohort is scheduled to start on September 14, 2026, and registration is open! Apply now and schedule your next steps with our BatteryMBA team. The BatteryMBA offers a combination of in-depth technical and business knowledge across a range of battery topics aligned with the sector's dynamic growth. The 870+ BatteryMBA alumni come from 60+ countries, span the value chain, and have diverse areas of expertise and seniority. They have affiliations with Tesla, Farasis Energy, JLR, Airbus, Hitachi High-Tech Europe, Schlumberger, Bertrandt Group, AMTE Power, the University of Oxford, the European Parliament, and numerous other organisations. The programme includes a battery-focused case study track, over 30 short presentations from peers, a mentorship programme, networking and career skills sessions, and a roundtable session. Need-based partial scholarships and group discounts are also available. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at info@battery.mba. |
Onboarding Session of the May - July 2026 BatteryMBA cohort |
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