電気自動車（EV）需要の鈍化が長期化する中、韓国電池大手のSK Onが北米のエネルギー貯蔵システム（ESS）市場で大規模な受注を獲得し、事業構造の多角化を加速させています。同社は米NeoVolta Powerと1.5兆ウォン規模の供給契約を締結し、現地生産基盤を活かしたLFP（リン酸鉄リチウム）電池の供給へ本格的に乗り出します。
SK On・NeoVolta Power 供給契約の概要と背景
1. 契約の概要
- 契約形態: 5年間の長期セル供給契約（2027年〜2031年）
- 供給量・金額: 9GWh（LFPパウチ型セル） / 推定約1.5兆ウォン（約1,700億円、約10億9,000万ドル）
- 供給拠点: SK On 米国ジョージア州工場（SK Battery America）
- 今後、ラインの一部をESS専用LFPセル生産ラインへ転換予定。
- 今後の拡張可能性: 年内に別途契約を通じて追加9GWhの支給（セル供給＋パック受託組み立て）契約の協議を進めており、成立時は最大18GWh規模に拡大。
2. 関連市場背景と補足情報
① 相手方（NeoVolta Power）の構造
- 住宅用ESSを展開してきた米ナスダック上場企業NeoVoltaが、商業・産業用（C&I）および電力網（Utility-scale）市場へ本格参入するために設立した子会社（ジョージア州ペンダーグラス拠点）。
- 同工場は大手太陽光メーカーLONGi等とのJV（NeoVoltaが60%保有）により立ち上げられた拠点であり、SK Onのジョージア工場と同じ州内に位置するため、北米サプライチェーンにおける物流効率化・現地化メリットが強みとなる。
② SK Onの事業構造転換と北米インフラ
- NCMからLFPへの拡充: EV需要減速（キャズム）を受け、主力だったハイニッケルNCM（ニッケル・コバルト・マンガン）依存脱却を加速。原価競争力と安全性に優れるLFP電池へとポートフォリオを多角化。
- 現地の強み: 単独工場および現代自動車との合弁工場（HSBMA）等も含め、北米に計約100GWh規模の生産基盤を確保済み。工場稼働率の維持とIRA（インフレ削減法）等による現地調達需要を背景に、ESS用への転換を迅速に実施。
③ 韓国セルメーカーのESS転換競争
- 北米市場におけるEV補助金の段階的縮小や需要減衰に対応し、LGエナジーソリューションやサムスンSDIなどの競合他社もEVラインの一部をESS用途へ転換中。
- 北米市場では、データセンターの急速な消費電力増大や再生可能エネルギー導入拡大に伴い、電力網安定化に向けた大規模BESS（蓄電システム）需要が急増している。
出典：https://finance.biggo.jp/news/3e686a93-4177-4917-86fe-177d95822286
SK On Secures Largest-Ever US ESS Deal, Supplying 9 GWh to NeoVolta — Converting Georgia Plant to LFP Production
As the prolonged slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand continues, South Korean battery maker SK On is accelerating its business diversification by securing a massive order in the North American Energy Storage System (ESS) market. The company signed a supply agreement valued at approximately 1.5 trillion KRW with US-based NeoVolta Power, initiating a full-scale push to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries leveraging its local manufacturing footprint.
Overview and Background of the SK On–NeoVolta Power Supply Agreement
1. Deal Overview
- Agreement Type: 5-year long-term cell supply contract (2027–2031)
- Volume & Value: 9 GWh (LFP pouch-type cells) / Estimated at ~1.5 trillion KRW (approx. 170 billion JPY / $1.09 billion USD)
- Manufacturing Hub: SK On Georgia Plant (SK Battery America)
- A portion of existing lines will be converted into dedicated ESS LFP cell production lines.
- Potential Expansion: Discussions are underway for a separate agreement within the year to provide an additional 9 GWh (under a tolling scheme involving cell supply and outsourced pack assembly), which would expand total cooperation up to 18 GWh upon finalization.
2. Market Context & Background Information
1) Partner Profile: NeoVolta Power
- A subsidiary established by Nasdaq-listed NeoVolta—a residential ESS provider—to expand into commercial & industrial (C&I) and utility-scale grid ESS markets (based in Pendergrass, Georgia).
- The facility operates as a joint venture formed with major solar manufacturer LONGi and other partners (NeoVolta holding a 60% stake). Being located in the same state as SK On’s Georgia plant provides distinct strategic advantages in supply chain localization and logistical efficiency.
2) SK On’s Business Transformation & North American Infrastructure
- Expanding from NCM to LFP: Amid the EV adoption slowdown (the “chasm”), SK On is accelerating its departure from single reliance on high-nickel NCM (nickel-manganese-cobalt) chemistry by diversifying into cost-competitive and thermally stable LFP batteries.
- Localized Footprint: SK On holds roughly 100 GWh of total production capacity in North America through its standalone plants and joint ventures, including HSBMA with Hyundai Motor Group. Driven by the need to maintain factory utilization rates and meet local procurement requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the company is swiftly reallocating capacity toward ESS.
3) South Korean Cell Makers’ Pivot to ESS
- In response to phased reductions in EV incentives and softening demand in North America, competing battery manufacturers like LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are likewise converting portions of their EV cell lines to ESS production.
- Driven by the exponential power needs of AI data centers and the rapid growth of renewable energy integration across North America, demand for large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for grid stabilization is surging.
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