Decision on battery storage system delayed over fire concerns

A decision on plans for a Battery Energy Storage System near Reepham has been postponed after fire safety concerns were raised. Worries about fire safety and a nearby oil plant were raised during the planning committee meeting at West Lindsey District Council on Wednesday (November 6) with one councillor saying it could lead to a 'major disaster'.

The storage system (known as a BESS) is designed to hold electricity while it’s plentiful and release it to the grid when it’s needed. It’s seen as a key component of the move towards renewable energy like wind and solar, but West Lindsey councillors expressed concerns about its safety.

It would be built on a field south of Barfields Lane, around three miles from Lincoln, next to an oil production facility. The system would have 16 lithium-ion batteries, each roughly the size of a shipping container.

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A fire at a BESS site in Liverpool in 2020 took 59 hours to extinguish after the battery overheated in a process called 'thermal runaway', although it's the only known case in the UK. The applicant, Fiskerton BESS, said all necessary fire precautions would be taken.

Councillor Ian Fleetwood (Con) told the committee: “It appears to be in the middle of nowhere but isn't really. Star Energy’s oil production site is right next door.

“There is also a railway line nearby working throughout the night, and I don't know whether they carry chemicals or not. If there’s a serious fire, it could be a major disaster.”

Councillor Trevor Bridgewood said it would cause major problems if Star Energy needed to evacuate for a fire, and said the location was “not the right place.” Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service neither supported or opposed the application in their response.

James Cook, speaking for the applicant, said: “The remote risk of thermal runaway is even more remote with new advancements. There will be a robust fire safety management plan, with an on-site water tank and secondary emergency access.”

He added: “Access to the Grid like this is viewed as one of the biggest barriers to decarbonising. This would maintain energy security in the communities around the the development, and protect them from blackouts.”

Councillor John Barrett (Con) said: “This technology is all new to us, and it seems to be the same for the fire service. I think we need a site visit - I need to be clear in my mind where everything is and whether it's safe.”

The application will return to a future planning committee.