Energy storage financing requires an experienced lender and with three years of analysis and activity within the battery storage field, Siemens Financial Services (SFS) had the opportunity to become the strong ally Ormat was looking for.
Why do energy storage projects need project financing?
The rapid growth in the energy storage market is similarly driving demand for project financing. The general principles of project finance that apply to the financing of solar and wind projects also apply to energy storage projects.
Since the majority of solar projects currently under construction include a storage system, lenders in the project finance markets are willing to finance the construction and cashflows of an energy storage project. However, there are certain additional considerations in structuring a project finance transaction for an energy storage project.
The race to develop efficient and scalable energy storage systems has never been more crucial. These technologies underpin the transition to a low-carbon future by ensuring grid reliability, maximizing renewable energy use, and enhancing energy security.
Will a tax credit be available for energy storage projects?
However, with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, tax credits are now available for standalone energy storage systems, and thus lenders may be willing to provide bridge capital that is underwritten based on the receipt of proceeds from an anticipated tax equity investment, similar to renewable energy projects.
Can energy storage projects sell ancillary services?
Swinerton's Mira Loma, California, energy storage project. In many regions, storage projects may be able to sell “ancillary services” in addition to energy or capacity either to transmission owners or to regional grid operators.
By Michael Klaus, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth Battery energy storage projects serve a variety of purposes for utilities and other consumers of electricity, including backup power, frequency regulation and balancing electricity supply with demand.