How much does a battery energy storage system cost?

Ember provides the latest capex and Levelised Cost of Storage (LCOS) for large, long-duration utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across global markets outside China and the US, based on recent auction results and expert interviews. 1. All-in BESS projects now cost just $125/kWh as of October 2025 2.

How much does a battery cost in China?

Manufacturers typically oversize the installed capacity by at least 10%, allowing them to guarantee a 0–100% state of charge operating range. The price of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery cells for stationary energy storage applications has dropped to around $40/kWh in Chinese domestic markets as of November 2025.

How much does a Lazard battery cost?

Meanwhile, Lazard's low-end total installed cost of $155/kWh for a 100MW/400 MWh battery system (i.e. $62 $ million) is significantly above the low-end capex for large BESS projects outside the US that use Chinese-manufactured equipment. The LCOS presented above does not take into account other revenue sources.

How long does a battery last?

By the end of its design life, the electricity delivered by the battery will be lower due to degradation. Manufacturers typically guarantee ≤2 % annual fade, meaning after 20 years, capacity remains at around 65% of initial usable energy. Higher cycling leads to faster degradation and a shorter lifetime.