Norfolk council urges government support for fire response at battery farms

Norfolk votes to request government funding for battery fire response

Norfolk County Council has voted to ask the UK government to fund specialist fire service equipment and training for responding to battery energy storage system (BESS) incidents.

According to the BBC, the decision follows an increase in local BESS planning applications, which councillors say has outpaced the emergency services’ capacity to respond to fire risks.

Council leader Kay Mason Billig said BESS installations present a safety challenge and called on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to involve fire services in planning decisions.

Mason Billig added that national safety standards should be introduced and that current fire and rescue provision lacks adequate funding and equipment.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero responded that battery storage fires are rare and that safety regulations already exist.

Concerns raised about lack of fire service consultation

Kay Mason Billig told councillors she is concerned that there is no legal requirement for fire services to be consulted on BESS proposals.

She said a surge in battery site applications had been observed and warned that the fire service is not being adequately prepared for the associated risks.

Mason Billig said: “They present a real challenge to our fire and rescue services who are expected to respond to these highly complex incidents with no additional funding, training or equipment from the government or developers.”

She added that she wants the government to establish national safety standards for these systems.

Forty councillors supported the motion, with 11 abstaining and none opposing. Mason Billig will now write to Energy Secretary Ed Milliband.

BESS technology described as an emerging fire risk

Battery energy storage systems are used to hold electricity from solar, wind and fossil fuels for later use.

These systems use lithium-ion batteries housed in container-like units. The UK government plans to increase storage capacity from 4.5 GW in 2024 to 27 GW by 2030.

While the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero described BESS fires as rare, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has called them “an emerging risk”.

The systems are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive, but no single authority currently sets uniform safety standards.

One proposed site in Rushall, near Diss, was recently put on hold by developers.

Debate over risk level and appropriate response

Catherine Rowett, leader of the Green group on Norfolk County Council, supported tighter controls but warned against overstating the danger.

Rowett said: “We should resist the temptation to overstate the risks from BESS installations because local residents are receiving sensationalist misinformation that are causing many to fear for their lives.”

She added that some fire incidents occurred at sites using outdated technology.

Rowett supported the call for greater fire service funding and clearer planning requirements, but cautioned against “scaremongering”.

Government and fire service respond to council motion

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Battery fires at storage sites are rare in the UK and we already have high safety standards in place to ensure batteries are safe throughout their lifespan.”

They added: “Every battery storage facility we construct helps protect families from future energy shocks.”

A spokesperson for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said it supports the move for earlier involvement in planning.

The spokesperson said: “We would welcome closer fire service involvement in these sites as a positive step towards greater public safety in an emerging technology.”

Norfolk council calls for fire service support on battery farm planning: Summary

Norfolk County Council voted to request government support for fire service readiness at BESS sites.

Council leader Kay Mason Billig raised concerns about the lack of fire service consultation on planning decisions.

She said battery farms present complex fire risks without extra funding or equipment for emergency responders.

The council will now write to Energy Secretary Ed Milliband with a formal request.

BESS technology stores energy from renewable and non-renewable sources for later use.

Installations use lithium-ion batteries housed in container-like structures.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service described the technology as an emerging fire risk.

Catherine Rowett of the Green group supported safety measures but cautioned against alarmist rhetoric.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said battery fires are rare and existing safety standards are high.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said closer involvement in planning would support public safety.

There is currently no single authority setting nationwide BESS fire safety standards.