Average utility scale ESS price per 10MW in New Zealand

What is the levelised cost of electricity comparison tool?

The Interactive Levelised Cost of Electricity Comparison Tool ranks the projects from lowest to highest LCOE and the resulting curve is a simplified representation of the long-run marginal electricity generation costs in New Zealand.

Can Utility-scale solar PV generation be achieved in New Zealand?

Allan Miller Consulting was commissioned to undertake modelling on the potential for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) generation in New Zealand out to 2060. This work, as summarised in the report, includes projections of capacity and annual generation for transmission and distribution network connected solar PV farms.

What is the levelised cost of electricity generation (LCOE)?

The graph ranks the projects from lowest to highest levelised cost of electricity generation (LCOE). If lower cost plants are built first, the majority of new build generation is wind. The graph shows a situation where the levelised cost of electricity generation (LCOE) of wind ranges from $54 per MWh to $70 per MWh.

How much does a MWh system cost?

MWh (Megawatt-hour) is a measure of energy capacity (how long the system can continue delivering that power output). For example, a 1 MW / 4 MWh BESS has four hours of storage capacity.So, while the system might be $200,000 per MW, the effective cost can be $800,000 per MWh if it has four hours duration.

How much does a Bess battery cost?

Factoring in these costs from the beginning ensures there are no unexpected expenses when the battery reaches the end of its useful life. To better understand BESS costs, it’s useful to look at the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) stored. As of recent data, the average cost of a BESS is approximately $400-$600 per kWh. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Will utility-scale solar uptake be muted if electricity prices fall?

Overall we conclude that utility-scale solar uptake may be muted if electricity prices fall in real terms in a low cost of capital environment, but if they remain stable or increase, utility-scale solar uptake could be very high. A similar conclusion is made for distribution connected solar, discussed in the next section.