Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
169. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has conducted risk assessments, commissioned any studies or issued guidance on the environmental and public-health risks associated with large-scale battery energy storage systems, particularly in relation to thermal-runaway events; and if he will publish any such documents. [65617/25]
View answer170. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the national standards, fire-safety requirements, or environmental-protection protocols which apply to proposed battery-storage installations in Ireland; if he is satisfied that current regulations are adequate; and if he will provide a list of all statutory instruments and technical standards governing such facilities. [65618/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
A number of Government departments, State bodies and public authorities have specific roles in connection with the safety and regulatory regime of grid-connected electricity storage. Chapter 4 of the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland published by my Department outlines their roles and remits in relation to standards, planning, construction, licencing, and safety of grid scale electricity storage systems in Ireland.
The relevant local planning authority, in its capacity as the planning and fire authority ensures compliance with the requirements relating to the planning, construction and operation of electricity storage installations. Under Section 13 of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, the Fire Authorities may advise a planning authority in relation to applications for planning permission. All planning authorities also have recourse to risk-assess the planning applications for electricity storage systems regarding environmental and public health risks. The commencement of other studies on environmental and public health risk would, in the first instance, usually be undertaken by the appropriate State body namely the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
Further, standardised testing for thermal runaway amongst many other criteria is embodied in Article 12 of EU Regulation 2023/1542 - Concerning Batteries and Waste Batteries. All battery energy storage systems (BESS) put into operation in Ireland must conform to these regulations and the associated technical standards. These regulations, homogenise classification, standards, safety testing and certification across the EU.
