Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

35. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the safety and environmental regulations in place for battery energy storage system facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17934/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In line with CAP Action EL/2416, the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland was published by my Department in July 2024.

Chapter four of the 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. The chapter also provides the roles and remits of various regulatory authorities and organisations in relation to standards, planning, construction, licencing, and safety of grid scale electricity storage systems in Ireland.

Regarding battery classification and standardisation, Ireland conforms to EU legislation. All batteries in Ireland are manufactured, sold, and operated in line with relevant EU regulation and standards, this includes safety certification and labelling for the marketing and the putting into service of batteries used in grid-scale electrical storage systems.EU Directive (2023/1542) – ‘Concerning Batteries & waste batteries’, sets out the homogenisation of electricity storage batteries as well as safety testing and certification requirements relevant to grid-scale electrical storage systems. This includes Lithium-Ion Battery Electricity Storage System.