Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to protect those who live close to a battery storage plant from fire risks.

Grid-scale batteries are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive within a robust framework which requires responsible parties to manage risks at every stage of the system’s deployment. Developers are responsible for minimising fire risks and work closely with fire services to develop site emergency response plans.

The Government will consult on including grid-scale batteries in the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR). EPR requires battery sites to demonstrate to the Environment Agency that risks are avoided or controlled and provides for ongoing regulatory inspections.