**Urgent Call to Secure Safety Standards for Emerging Battery Farms**

In a bold move, Norfolk County Council is taking action to address fire safety concerns surrounding large battery energy storage systems (BESS). During a recent council meeting, Energy Secretary Ed Milliband will be urged to allocate funding for specialized training and equipment for local fire services, leading the charge against potential risks associated with battery farms planned throughout Norfolk.

Council leader Kay Mason Billig expressed her worries, categorizing these energy installations as a ”serious risk”, emphasizing the need for fire services to be included in the planning process of battery farm projects. Currently, fires at these storage sites are deemed rare, yet recent statements from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero highlight a pressing need for awareness. According to them, while fires are infrequent, the growing prevalence of such systems, set to expand from 4.5 GW to 27 GW by 2030, necessitates a review of emergency protocols.

Mason Billig criticized the lack of consultation requirements for fire services on new BESS projects, advocating for a legislative shift to ensure better preparedness. She articulated that these energy facilities pose significant challenges for responders who lack proper training and resources, advocating for new national safety standards to protect communities.

Support for Mason Billig’s proposals was robust, with 40 councillors voting in favor and only 11 abstaining. Despite the push for enhanced guidelines, Council member Catherine Rowett cautioned against ”scaremongering”, citing previous fire incidents as involving outdated technology no longer in use. Her call for a balanced perspective seeks to mitigate fear among locals while promoting public safety.

The Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service echoed these sentiments, noting that closer collaboration with fire services would enhance safety amidst evolving technologies. In contrast, representatives from the Department affirm that existing safety standards are already in place to ensure that battery facilities do not endanger the public. As more applications for BESS installations surge, Norfolk County Council is poised to lead the charge for a safer, more prepared future in energy storage.