Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Lithium-ion Battery Storage Facilities: Regulation

Tuesday 4 July 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government prioritizes the safe and appropriate construction and operation of net zero energy infrastructure, including lithium-ion battery storage facilities.
  • The Minister works with Government colleagues to determine the suitable treatment of lithium-ion battery storage facilities in planning processes.
  • The Minister acknowledges JCB's development of hydrogen fuel technology and notes that the Secretary of State will visit to discuss this innovation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Maria Miller Con
Climate Energy
Context

The adequacy of regulations for new energy infrastructure is under scrutiny due to potential safety risks.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of regulations for industrial lithium-ion battery storage facilities?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

It is a priority for this Government that all net zero energy infrastructure is built, operated and maintained in an appropriate and safe way. My officials work closely with the industry-led electricity storage health and safety governance group to ensure an appropriate, robust and future-proofed health and safety framework is sustained as storage deployment increases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The adequacy of current regulations was not directly assessed; only a general commitment to safe operation was provided.

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Q2 Maria Miller Con
Energy Environment
Context

There is concern about the potential fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, especially in specific locations like Basing Fenn.

Question

We need to increase power storage, but the potential fire risks associated with lithium-ion battery storage facilities are now becoming widely acknowledged. What is my hon. Friend doing to ensure those facilities are not built in inappropriate locations, such as Basing Fenn in my constituency, which is a site sandwiched between a rare north-flowing, salmonid chalk stream and a hospital?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

I thank my right hon. Friend for her question and her tireless campaigning on this important issue. As I discussed in that very positive meeting that I had with her yesterday, I have been working with colleagues across Government to establish the appropriate treatment of these facilities in planning and environmental regulation. Every site should be considered on its own merits and is a decision for our local authorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoided specifics about inappropriate locations but mentioned ongoing work.

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Science & Technology Energy
Context

There is debate over the government's focus on battery storage versus hydrogen-based energy solutions.

Question

Will this Government stop chuntering on about batteries and battery storage all the time? Will they get down to JCB and see its innovative new hydrogen fuel car and heavy goods vehicle? Is it not about time that we realised that hydrogen is the future and that this Government should be building a pipeline of hydrogen throughout the country?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

I will not be drawn on chuntering on by the hon. Gentleman, but let me just say that it was this Government who allowed JCB to proceed with that technology and to develop it at commercial scale. I am pleased to tell him that the Secretary of State will be visiting imminently.

Not addressed: The specific ask about shifting focus from batteries to hydrogen was not directly addressed, focusing instead on past government actions and upcoming visits.

How: Not Drawn On

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