Written question asked by James McMurdock (Reform UK) on Monday, 3 February 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 February 2025. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 February 2025 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Coryton Energy Park

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help improve the sustainability of battery storage technology used at the Coryton Energy Park.

Answer: Planning applications for battery storage are determined by the local planning authority under the Town and Country Planning Act regime. The operation of this regime and the decisions made under it are the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Health and Safety Executive regulates grid-scale batteries within a robust framework which requires industry to act at all stages of the battery’s deployment to ensure safety. Of particular relevance to fire safety, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (2002) set out requirements to protect workers and others from fire risks.

Secondary information