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.

Why are Japanese companies investing in battery energy storage systems?

Sign up here. That is creating surging interest in battery energy storage systems (BESS) to smooth mismatches in supply and demand. Since December 2023, companies have announced investments of at least $2.6 billion in Japanese battery storage projects, according to calculations by Reuters.

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.

Are storage batteries a priority for border detentions for forced labor evaluation?

Storage batteries have been indicated as a priority for border detentions for forced labor evaluation, and we expect to continue to see those goods identified as a concern.

Could decarbonised capacity auctions threaten battery storage?

Still, planned changes to the government's long-term decarbonised capacity auctions (LTDA), which guarantee project revenue for up to 20 years once new power generation facilities come online, could threaten the attractiveness of battery storage.