To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the net zero secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding mitigating fire risk from battery energy storage systems, in light of the role that battery storage can play in the future energy mix of Scotland. (S6O-03993)

The Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy regularly discusses with ministerial colleagues a range of issues relating to Scotland’s future energy mix, including engaging on the safety and regulatory processes around battery energy storage sites.

When new development proposals come forward, our fourth national planning framework ensures that the impacts of proposals on communities and nature, including cumulative impacts, are important considerations in the decision-making process. All applications are subject to site-specific assessments. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continually reviews and develops its operational response to any new and emerging technology to keep communities safe and to ensure the highest level of preparedness.

Residents and community councils are voicing their concerns over plans for battery energy storage systems, due to emergency crews not having the right equipment to deal with potential fires. I recently met a developer regarding that matter and I have raised issues over fire safety. A lot of those developments are in close proximity to residential areas, leaving many communities, including those in my region, very concerned.

To reassure residents and communities, there needs to be clear guidance on fire safety to improve the policy and procedures of battery energy storage systems. The guidance is dated, so will the minister commit to looking at existing legislation and guidance to improve fire safety standards for those particular types of energy storage development?

The Government listens closely to all stakeholders—not least the Fire and Rescue Service, as I mentioned—on that matter. All applications are subject to site-specific assessments. The cumulative impacts that I mentioned are relevant, because the cumulative impact of energy development proposals must also be considered through statutory environmental impact assessment processes.

In short, I take seriously the issues that the member has raised. The Government makes sure that communities are engaged at an early stage and can meaningfully influence all such proposals.

Expanding energy storage comes hand in hand with increasing renewable energy technology, and both will play a vital role in Scotland’s future energy mix. Will the minister say more about how the safety of those developments is assessed and planned so that we can deliver a secure net zero future for our communities?

As I mentioned, all applications are subject to those assessments, and the impacts of energy development proposals also require to be considered closely. That includes statutory elements around environmental impact assessment processes.

Scottish ministers have an expectation that communities are involved in the process and are listened to. Where there is a need for co-ordination among applicants who are proposing developments in the same area, all parties are expected to work together to co-ordinate the development and minimise any impacts on the communities and the environment.

When determining applications under the Electricity Act 1989, Scottish ministers are required to seek advice from planning authorities to ensure that decision making is co-ordinated in that way.

Question 6 has been withdrawn.