Research & Insights

From queue to COD: building a utility-scale battery storage plant

Construction of a 100 MW standalone lithium-ion project typically runs 9–15 months from notice to proceed to commercial operation. The full development cycle, from interconnection queue entry to COD, takes roughly three to five years, and interconnection is the binding constraint.

Exhibit 1: Construction, NTP to COD (12-month base case), illustrative 100 MW / 400 MWh standalone BESS

Press play or select a stage

Month 1

Battery enclosures Inverters Transformers Medium-voltage collection Energized

Phase 1 of 6

Site preparation

Construction stage	Typical duration

NTP to COD by market	Typical
All markets, 100 MW / 200–400 MWh	9–15 months
ERCOT, well-run projects	8–10 months
CAISO and PJM, utility-built interconnection scope	12–18 months

Source: Odette Capital. Illustrative 100 MW / 400 MWh lithium-ion system shown on a 12-month base case; stage durations overlap and vary by technology, site conditions, procurement and interconnection scope.

Exhibit 2: Full development cycle, queue entry to COD (~3–5 years), illustrative base case

Bars show a four-year base case; whiskers show the typical range

Development and construction Long-lead procurement Typical range Milestone

Source: Odette Capital; InfraSure (typical interconnection study and interconnection agreement negotiation durations). Illustrative; interconnection studies are fastest in ERCOT and slowest in the PJM and CAISO cluster processes. Permitting examples include conditional use permits and zoning, CEQA in California, and Article 10 / 94-c in New York. Long-lead equipment must be ordered well before NTP.