House of Commons Publishes Update on BESS Battery Fire Risks

ESG and Net Zero policies mean more arrays for old battery packs will be constructed in the UK.

The idea is that a few minutes of emergency power could prevent a blackout locally, which is great, so long as the batteries don’t pose a serious fire risk. For insurers backing such projects, either by insuring construction, or actually investing pension fund contributions in BESS facilities, there needs to be more research on the long term risks. Plus the potential value of BESS plants in 20-30 years time, if that facility is viewed as a pension fund asset.

Here’s some extracts from a recent House of Commons update;

Although safety incidents for BESSs are rare, a common concern about BESSs is the potential fire risk of lithium-ion batteries (PDF). Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire because of a process called “thermal runaway”. It can occur, for example, if part of a battery is damaged.

Understanding of thermal runaway has improved in recent years, leading to more flame-resistant batteries. BESS sites can be also designed with safety features, such as fire suppression systems.

There is no reliable, publicly accessible record of the number of BESS fires that have occurred in the UK or elsewhere. Two documented incidents of a BESS fire in the UK include: a fire at a BESS site in Liverpool in September 2020 (PDF) and a fire at a BESS project under construction in Essex in February 2025.

How is the safety of BESSs regulated?

While there is no single piece of legislation that sets specific requirements for BESS sites, there is a framework of relevant legislation that applies. Individual batteries may have to adhere to product safety regulations (for example if second-life batteries are used) and grid-scale facilities will also have to comply with relevant fire safety requirements and health and safety laws.

The Health and Safety Executive has a grid-scale battery energy storage systems webpage that collates relevant existing legislation. The government also published new guidance on the health and safety of grid scale electrical energy storage in April 2024.

There are concerns that existing regulations and guidance are not sufficient to address the safety risks posed by BESSs. For example, there are calls for fire and rescue services to be made statutory consultees in planning applications for BESSs.

In response to concerns about the safety of BESSs, the government said BESSs were covered by “a robust regulatory framework”. It published guidance in August 2023 which encourages developers and local planning authorities in England to consult their local fire and rescue service in preparing and deciding on planning applications for BESSs.

You can read the full Parliamentary Briefing here.