How does tariff risk affect a battery energy storage system (BESS) project?

Mitigating tariff risk in battery energy storage system (BESS) projects is crucial for ensuring project financial viability, as tariff changes can significantly affect cost structures and overall project economics.

Will China impose tariffs on lithium-ion EV batteries?

An interesting issue will be the imposition of tariffs. There are existing tariffs pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on some Chinese-origin lithium-ion EV batteries and non-lithium-ion battery parts, which were increased to 25% in September 2024.

Will US tariffs affect energy storage?

There have also been indications that the US administration may consider other tariff proposals impacting energy storage, such as a 10–20% universal tariff, tariffs of up to 60% across the board on Chinese-origin goods, and tariffs of 25% on Mexican and Canadian origin goods.

Which international trade issues will remain a concern for energy storage projects?

Two major areas of international trade that will remain causes of concern for energy storage projects are the application of tariffs and supply chain integrity.

Should tariffs be used as regulatory control?

With respect to energy storage development—and particularly, the supply of batteries and components—which were a priority over both the Trump-Pence and the Biden administrations, it seems more likely that tariffs would be utilized as regulatory control rather than a negotiating tactic.

What is the role of battery systems in stabilizing the grid?

The battery systems will allow more renewable energy, which are typically of intermittent (on and off) nature such as solar and wind, to be on-boarded onto the national grid by carrying out the crucial role of helping to stabilize the frequency and voltage of current supply to our homes, schools, hospitals and industries, to name a few.