Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his department has to ensure that the installation of Battery Energy Storage Systems at the Bramford Substation does not increase the chance of i) fire or ii) environmental risk.

Details of individual Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects are for developers and local authorities, however their decisions are made within context of the Health and Safety Executive’s regulatory framework. This requires BESS dutyholders to ensure safety throughout the asset’s lifespan.

BESS poses no greater chance of fire than other infrastructure; the latest 5-year annual average BESS fire incidence rate is 0.7%, lower than for non-domestic buildings in England at 0.8% (measured from 20/21 to 24/25).

On environmental risks, Defra recently published a consultation response on including BESS within Environmental Permitting, committing to undertake detailed policy design work on this.