Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make it her policy to require the National Grid Electricity System Operator to prioritise the use of battery storage instead of fossil fuel-based power.

The Electricity System Operator (ESO) has responsibility for balancing supply and demand on the electricity system on a second by second basis, whilst minimising the cost for consumers.

The Government and Ofgem's 2021 Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan includes actions to open up markets and to remove barriers to participation for low-carbon flexibility such as battery storage. The Review of Electricity Market Arrangements programme is considering market reforms to drive a secure, cost-effective, low-carbon electricity system, including reform options to facilitate the deployment and operation of low-carbon flexible technologies such as battery storage.