The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) deems sodium batteries a strategically important technology for Europe at its plenary debate on the potential of these batteries and in its latest opinion.

EESC President Séamus Boland announced that the Committee was placing sodium batteries firmly at the centre of its work on the EU industrial and energy agenda. ‘Sodium batteries, and batteries more broadly, are key for the EU’s competitive edge, and it is urgent that the next Multiannual Financial Framework recognises this by providing the necessary funds for the sector,’ he said.

The EU has already launched large-scale gigafactory projects to produce batteries at high volumes in order to reindustrialise Europe and strengthen its strategic autonomy. However, these projects focus mainly on lithium batteries and largely neglect the emerging technology of their sodium equivalents. 

Unlike lithium, sodium does not expose the EU to the same geopolitical dependencies or supply chain vulnerabilities. Produced from abundant and widely available raw materials in Europe, sodium batteries can reduce dependence on critical imports, support EU climate and industrial objectives and create jobs through the development of gigafactories across the value chain.

The debate also highlighted the strong links between sodium batteries and both the EU’s Green Deal and the EESC’s EU Blue Deal initiative. ‘The EESC put water on the agenda because, in emergency preparedness, water, energy and food are the real raw material emergencies. The vast majority of the Earth’s water is salt water. By using the sodium from desalination processes, we can turn a largely untapped resource into a sustainable, circular industrial solution,’ said Paul Rübig, EESC rapporteur for the opinion on Enhancing EU strategic autonomy and developing a greener and bluer economy: the potential of the sodium battery manufacturing sector.

Europe must act quickly to avoid falling behind its global competitors, which are already advancing on sodium battery technology.  ‘Either we remain mere consumers, or we propose an ambitious plan for the next ten years and become one of the largest suppliers of sodium-based batteries. All European countries can participate in the construction process and benefit from a technology that promotes our independence while creating jobs in all regions,’ said Hervé Jeannin, co-rapporteur for the opinion. 

The EESC opinion on sodium batteries presents an overview of the current situation and the development potential of this emerging industry, it showcases the potential applications of such batteries in different sectors (e.g. by industry, local and regional authorities and private households) and sets out the way forward for the industry. (gb)