A new analysis from energy think tank Ember shows that the cost of storing electricity with utility-scale batteries has fallen to just $65/MWh as of October 2025 outside China and the US, making it economically feasible to deliver solar power when it is needed.
ESS stands for Energy Storage System – a technology that captures energy for later use. Think of it as a rechargeable “power bank” for cities, businesses, and homes.
According to BloombergNEF's Energy Storage Outlook 2025, global ESS costs average $150–$250 per kWh, depending on system scale and technology type. That's an almost 80% drop compared with over $1,000/kWh a decade ago—driven by:.