As China's homegrown AI models, such as DeepSeek, expand into manufacturing, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, particularly power supply, has become crucial for sustaining large-scale AI deployments.

To prevent Chinese solar products from circumventing origin rules, the US Department of Commerce recently announced tariffs on solar products from Southeast Asian countries, with rates reaching as high as 3,521%. Regarding the impact of these tariffs, HD Renewable Energy (HDRE) chairman Edward Hsieh stated that since the company does not export any goods to the US, the direct effect is minimal. However, overall market fluctuations may still cause some indirect impacts.

Delta Electronics expects to boost its India operations as global tariff regimes continue to shift supply chains, a senior executive told Digitimes Asia in an interview, adding that the company is preparing to bring more global customers to its local manufacturing facilities.

China has expanded its export controls on rare earth minerals and magnets, intensifying its trade retaliation against the United States and threatening to disrupt key industries. The new restrictions affect seven rare earth elements and specialized magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military aircraft—resources on which the US remains heavily dependent.

US President Donald Trump has intensified tariff measures in a bid to clamp down on tariff circumvention through Southeast Asia and other third-party locations. His latest actions, aimed at closing long-standing loopholes, have disrupted global solar supply chains and intensified scrutiny on countries serving as intermediaries for Chinese-made products. The new strategy follows years of limited success from previous trade wars and marks a more aggressive posture on trade enforcement.

CATL, China's dominant battery manufacturer, reported first quarter 2025 revenue of CNY84.7 billion (US$11.7 billion) with net profit reaching CNY14 billion, up 33% year-over-year. During its earnings call, the company minimized concerns about recently imposed US tariffs, citing limited exposure to the American market.

E-Formula Technologies is actively growing its presence overseas with governmental and private sector partnerships in the Philippines and Japan, providing integrated smart energy services as part of the global trend toward net-zero emissions. According to company chairman Peter Chang, the only path to a truly economically valuable energy solution is by integrating energy saving, generation, and storage services.

Global trade tensions are escalating as US President Donald Trump implements widespread tariffs in his second term, while the European Union's ambitious carbon border tax faces a potential one-year delay, further complicating the outlook for international carbon markets.

As global demand for energy continues to surge while supply remains unstable, energy storage systems (ESS) have become a critical pillar in the future of energy infrastructure. For industry players, the key challenge is how to leverage innovation to enhance storage efficiency and reliability.

Texas is pioneering advanced energy storage technologies as part of a broader push to enhance grid stability and expand renewable capacity, addressing growing power demands — including from data centers projected to consume 9% of the US electricity by 2030.

As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) slows, battery manufacturers are adjusting their procurement strategies to manage costs. South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI is exploring increased use of Chinese battery equipment following discussions at a recent shareholders' meeting, citing improvements in quality and cost-effectiveness.

At LG Group's 63rd shareholders' meeting in Seoul, chairman Koo Kwang-mo, though absent, conveyed his strategic vision through a written message, emphasizing the company's commitment to advancing its battery business as a key driver of future growth, according to South Korean media reports, including Money Today and ZD Korea.

The Trump administration is disrupting US energy policies with executive orders that roll back clean energy initiatives and emphasize fossil fuels. In February, Trump established the National Energy Dominance Council to guide energy policy, highlighting traditional resources while notably excluding wind and solar power.

Kai-hung Hu, chairman of Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC), announced a partnership with the Malaysian company Cape EMS Berhad during a recent trip to the country, aiming to jointly expand in the Southeast Asian market through collaboration in the energy storage, aviation, and biotechnology and medical sectors.

Mundus Smart Energy, a subsidiary of Taiwan's Lealea Group, is expanding into Japan's high-voltage battery storage market with seven approved projects totaling 14MW. The installations span key economic zones including Tokyo, Kyushu, and Hokkaido. Two 2MW sites in Saitama Prefecture are scheduled to go online by the end of 2025, marking the company's first operational assets in Japan.

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has signed a battery supply deal with Polish utility Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) to deliver lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for a 1GWh energy storage system (ESS) project in northern Poland. Scheduled to go online in 2027, the facility is designed to boost renewable energy integration and stabilize the local power grid.

Maxell will stop producing square lithium-ion batteries, used in smartphones and gaming consoles, by May 2025 and dissolve its Chinese manufacturing subsidiary, Wuxi Maxell Energy Co., Ltd. The company announced on March 24 that it expects a notable loss of approximately JPY2.8 billion (US$18.74 million) for the fiscal year 2024 due to the closure, reports Nikkei and Jiji.

Lealea Group's subsidiary Mundus Smart Energy is set to capitalize on its Japanese energy storage investments by 2025. The company anticipates revealing strategic partnerships in Japan next quarter, along with new development projects and the completion of a 2MW high-voltage storage facility by year-end.

In a bid to support industry and protect consumers, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), ROC, has proposed a NT$100 billion (US$3.03 billion) allocation for the state-owned Taipower in 2025, aimed at countering the effects of soaring global energy prices. However, due to policy limitations, any adjustment to electricity prices will be modest, placing continued financial pressure on Taipower. Despite this, the proposal has faced opposition in the legislature, where the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) have blocked the budget. Although price hikes could contribute to inflation, Taiwan's economy remains stable, and experts expect that the electricity price review committee will likely approve increases for both industrial and residential consumers starting in April.

India's renewable energy sector is witnessing an unprecedented surge, with major corporations ramping up investments as demand for clean power grows substantially year-on-year, according to Powercon, which counts major corporations like Tata Power, Adani, and NTPC among its customers.

Delta Electronics is leveraging its expertise in power and automation to deliver integrated smart city solutions focused on sustainability and efficiency for global urban development.

With global energy demand rising, effective energy management is no longer just a priority but an urgent necessity. Thomas Fann, president of Teco, believes that energy conservation is the most effective approach to energy management.

J&V Energy Technology (J&V) held its earnings call on March 20. Shu-Min Chao, CEO of J&V, showed optimism for steady quarterly revenue growth across its four core business sectors: solar energy, energy storage, renewable energy trading, and water treatment. The company aims to make 2025 the first year of an anticipated three-year high-growth phase. Meanwhile, its subsidiary Greenet is set to enter the capital market, signaling promising momentum for green energy trading.

Delta Electronics is showcasing its advanced power and liquid cooling solutions at Nvidia's GTC 2025 conference, targeting the increased energy demands of next-generation AI chips including Blackwell Ultra and the upcoming Rubin architecture.