We have worked to support renewables sector clients for many years and are currently employed by many clients in this sector with combined revenues in the billions. If you are such a business or wish to enter the UK market please do contact us or request a call back to explore how we could work in partnership with you on safety matters in the UK.
Today the Health and Safety Executive have issued new guidance for those involved in grid-scale battery energy storage systems. A copy of the safety advice can be viewed on the HSE website by clicking on this link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/battery-energy-storage-systems.htm
This summarises the responsibilities held by designers, installers and operators of these systems and also gives advice on other agencies who might be helpful or have specific requirements to place on any such project including Local Planning Authorities, DEFRA, Fire England and other Fire and Rescue Services and the Environment Agency.
The list of regulations that might apply is listed below. Please note that the application of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations will depend on the particular design of the energy storage facility and that the use of lithium-ion batteries will also carry a linked risk from a localised fire and potential thermal runaway should a fire occur.
More information is presented below:
Health and safety responsibilities
If you design, install or operate BESS, you have a legal responsibility to comply with health and safety legislation, including:
- Health and Safety at Work Act – places legal duties on employers to manage risks to employees, other workers and the public
- Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations – set minimum requirements for the protection of workers and others from fire and explosion risks
- Electricity at Work Regulations – require precautions to be taken against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity in work activities
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (on legislation.gov.uk) – require risks to be assessed and appropriately managed
- Construction Design and Management Regulations – set requirements to ensure the whole construction project is carried out in a way that secures health and safety
- Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations – requires the operators of sites which hold 25 tonnes or more of a dangerous substance to notify their local fire and rescue service in writing, and to display signs
If you comply with these regulations you will manage the health and safety risks of BESS.
Planning permission
Planning permission for BESS is a matter for local planning authorities. To find out if your project will need planning permission, contact your local planning authority (LPA) through your local council.
Each nation in Great Britain has its own responsibility for planning policy:
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – planning policy in England (on GOV.UK)
- Scottish Government – planning policy in Scotland (on mygov.scot)
- Welsh Government – planning policy in Wales (on GOV.Wales)
HSE has a limited role in the planning process. We should only be consulted by developers and local authorities on planning proposals that appear to fall within known consultation zones around:
- major hazard establishments
- major accident hazard pipelines
- licensed explosives sites
Find out more about HSE’s role in land use planning.
Environmental protection
Environmental issues (including if a permit for emissions and discharges for BESS is required) are a matter for the following:
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (on GOV.UK)
- Scottish Government (on mygov.scot)
- Welsh Government (on GOV.Wales)
Notifying your fire and rescue service
Under the Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations, if you are an operator of a BESS site which holds 25 tonnes or more of dangerous substances, you must notify your local fire and rescue service to inform their emergency response planning.
Find your fire service on:
