Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator O'Reilly very much. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, sends his apologies. He is at the UN this week so he cannot take this Commencement matter.

Electricity storage systems are part of the renewable energy future. Together with wind, solar and grid infrastructure, they are a key element of Ireland's transition to a low-carbon electricity system by delivering ancillary services and facilitating a more efficient use of our existing grid. Grid-scale electricity storage systems, including battery electricity storage systems, which the Senator rightly says is referred to as BESS, play a vital role in this transition by ensuring the proper functioning of the grid in providing system services, assisting in grid build-out, and providing targeted demand flexibility to the grid, reducing dispatch down and maximising the incorporation of renewable generated electricity through bulk electricity time shifting.

As of July 2025, there are 22 separate electricity storage systems connected to the grid network providing just over 1 GW capacity. One pumped hydro-storage facility, Turlough Hill in County Wicklow, accounts for 292 MW of this capacity with the remaining 756 MW provided by 21 stationary battery energy storage systems located throughout the country.

To support the incorporation of electricity storage systems on to the grid network, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment published the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland in July 2024, as required under the climate action plan. Chapter 4 of that policy framework provides an overview of the existing safety and regulatory framework in place for grid-scale electricity storage systems, including battery electricity storage systems in the European and Irish contexts.

It is important to note that in Ireland, there is no single authority under which the entire safety and regulation of grid-scale electricity storage lies. Instead, a number of different organisations handle various aspects of electricity storage system safety and regulation. The CRU is responsible for the licensing, charging and market incentives for electricity storage undertakings, the regulation of electricity storage in the electricity market and electricity storage grid connections.

In Ireland, all battery classification and standardisation conform to EU legislation. All batteries used in Ireland are manufactured, sold and operated in line with relevant EU regulations and standards, including safety certification and the putting into service of batteries used in grid-scale electricity storage systems. The 2023 EU directive concerning batteries and waste batteries sets out the homogenisation of electricity storage batteries as well as safety testing and certification requirements relevant to grid-scale electricity storage systems. This includes lithium-ion battery electricity storage systems. S-BESS - battery electricity storage systems are subject to the same environmental controls as any other industrial or technical activity. The planning, construction and operation of these installations is subject to EU and Irish environmental rules.

From a planning perspective, electricity storage systems are subject to the requirement to obtain planning permission under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and associated regulations. Applications for planning permission for electricity storage systems are made to the relevant local planning authority, or An Bord Pleanála on appeal.

In making a decision on a planning application in respect of an electricity storage system, a planning authority must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the county development plan, including any zoning or visual impact objectives, any submissions or observations received from the public and statutory consultees, any relevant ministerial or Government policies, including any planning guidelines issued by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and any environmental assessments undertaken.

Compliance with requirements relating to the planning, construction and operation of electricity storage installations is overseen and enforced primarily by the EPA and the relevant local authority in its capacity as planning authority and fire authority. Planning policy, including in relation to fire safety, and related guidelines are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.