John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on proposed regulations for battery energy storage systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59451/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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All batteries in Ireland are manufactured, sold and operated in line with relevant EU regulation and standards. This includes safety testing, certification and labelling for the marketing and the putting into service of batteries used in grid-connected electrical storage systems.

EU Regulation (2023/1542) – ‘Concerning Batteries & Waste Batteries’, sets out the homogenisation of electricity storage standards and classification as well as the safety testing and certification requirements relevant to grid-connected Battery Electricity Storage Systems (BESS).

In addition to EU legislation and in line with the Climate Action Plan (action EL/24/16), the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland was published by my Department in July 2024. Chapter 4 of the Policy Framework provides an overview of the existing safety and regulatory framework in place for grid-connected electricity storage systems, including battery electricity storage systems here in Ireland.

The safety and regulatory regime of grid-connected electricity storage is implemented by a number of Government Departments, regulatory authorities and organisations. Chapter 4 of the Policy Framework further outlines their roles and remits in relation to standards, planning, construction, licencing, and safety of grid scale electricity storage systems in Ireland.