Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her policy is on the development of Compressed Air Energy Storage as a means of cost effectively delivering large-scale electricity storage.

The Department recognises the potential role that cost effective energy storage could play in contributing to a resilient, affordable and low carbon energy system in the UK, alongside other forms of flexibility such as interconnection and demand-side response. As such, we are investigating the potential barriers to the deployment of energy storage, including Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES). Our approach to storage policy is technology neutral; however, we recognise the potential for CAES in the UK, and we are in regular dialogue with prospective developers of new CAES projects.