New UK Briefing Highlights Battery Safety and Planning Regulations for Energy Storage Systems

Battery Safety and Planning Rules Examined in New BESS Briefing
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A recent research briefing by the UK House of Commons Library has explored the regulations, safety concerns, and planning requirements related to battery energy storage systems (BESS), as well as the factors that hinder their broader deployment. The paper, released on June 3, 2025, and authored by Georgina Hutton and Iona Stewart, highlights the role of BESS facilities in storing surplus electricity and supporting renewable energy generation.

The UK government has set an ambitious goal to increase the installed BESS capacity from 4.5 GW in 2024 to between 23 and 27 GW by 2030. The briefing notes that BESS developments are subject to various planning regulations based on their location within the UK, and that fire safety is governed by broader health and safety legislation. Additionally, it identifies a shortage of domestic battery production and limited access to critical minerals as significant barriers to development, alongside delays in grid connections and high upfront costs.

### Fire Risks and Incident Data Surrounding Lithium-Ion BESS

The briefing indicates that while incidents at BESS sites are relatively rare, lithium-ion batteries can pose a fire risk due to the potential for thermal runaway. This phenomenon, which can occur from battery damage, has been linked to documented fires in the UK, including incidents in Liverpool in 2020 and Essex in February 2025. The Library emphasizes that understanding of thermal runaway has improved in recent years, and newer systems are generally equipped with suppression systems and more fire-resistant battery chemistries. However, there remains no comprehensive, publicly available record of BESS fires that have occurred in the UK or worldwide. Government guidance published in August 2023 recommends that developers and planning authorities engage with local fire and rescue services during the application process.

### Regulatory Framework and Safety Standards for BESS Projects

According to the briefing, there are currently no laws specifically governing the safety of BESS sites. However, the Library notes that batteries used in storage systems may need to comply with existing product safety standards, especially for second-life batteries. Furthermore, larger grid-scale systems are subject to general fire safety and health regulations, depending on their installation conditions. In April 2024, the UK government released new guidance on the health and safety of electrical energy storage at the grid scale. The Health and Safety Executive also maintains a dedicated resource page for battery energy storage systems, aggregating relevant regulations and resources.

### Planning Rules and Licensing for Battery Storage in the UK

The Library indicates that planning policies for BESS installations vary across the four nations of the UK. In England and Wales, local planning authorities handle planning decisions for battery storage systems regardless of their capacity. Conversely, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, permissions are granted by either ministers or planning authorities, depending on the capacity of the storage facility. Additionally, a grid-scale BESS may require a generating license from Ofgem in Great Britain or the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland. The briefing underscores that planning is a devolved matter, and the differing national decision-making processes should be acknowledged.

### Cost, Supply Chain, and Connection Barriers to Deployment

The Library has identified multiple constraints on the development of BESS and other forms of energy storage. High capital costs, delays in grid connections, and uncertainty surrounding revenue streams are among the primary obstacles encountered by developers. The Commons Business and Trade Select Committee has raised concerns about the UK’s insufficient domestic manufacturing capacity for batteries, while the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee has highlighted the country’s reliance on imported critical minerals, such as lithium, used in battery systems. In response, the UK government has laid out plans to enhance supply chain resilience in its battery strategy (November 2023) and critical minerals strategy (July 2022). The Labour Government also intends to produce a revised critical minerals strategy in 2025. Ofgem and the government are advancing a new cap-and-floor revenue mechanism for long-duration energy storage, with the initial project approvals anticipated by the second quarter of 2026.

### Summary of the BESS Briefing

The Commons Library briefing details the current landscape of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the UK. Published on June 3, 2025, by Georgina Hutton and Iona Stewart, the report outlines the planning processes, safety risks, and deployment challenges associated with BESS. It notes that these systems play a crucial role in supporting renewable generation by storing excess electricity. The UK government aims to expand BESS capacity from 4.5 GW in 2024 to as much as 27 GW by 2030. Planning decisions vary based on location and system capacity, with no specific laws governing BESS safety; however, general fire and health regulations are applicable. The briefing reports two BESS fires documented in the UK in 2020 and 2025, with thermal runaway being the main fire risk, often resulting from battery damage. The Library also highlights deployment barriers, such as delays, costs, and supply chain issues, alongside the UK’s reliance on imported minerals. Government strategies introduced in 2022 and 2023 aim to address these challenges, and a cap-and-floor scheme for long-duration energy storage is being implemented, with initial project approvals expected by Q2 2026.