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Search the Public Notice PortalLARGE scale battery energy storage systems are an “emerging risk” for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – and there are two planned for Clackmannanshire.
Members of the audit and scrutiny committee reviewed the annual fire safety report for the Wee County.
This outlined every incident that the SFRS responded to between April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.
Councillors asked about the safety of battery energy storage systems (BESS) – rechargeable units designed to store excess electricity.
READ MORE: Double BESS units proposed for Kennet
This prompted concerns from members of the committee, who sought clarity from the SFRS.
David Scott, station commander for Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Fife, said: “Battery storage systems, large scale ones – BESS – they’re classed as an emerging risk for the fire service.
“We’re still collating data on that, there is long-life and short-life working groups that are looking to collate all that information.
READ MORE: Batter energy storage system in Fishcross approved
“Ultimately, where they are being built – we’re working with local authorities on the locations.
“We appreciate the local concerns but the data gathering is still happening.”
A 25 megawatt BESS unit was approved for land south of Twentyfive Acre Wood in Fishcross in May 2024.
READ MORE: Gresham House submit application for Kincardine BESS
Another 250MW double device has been proposed for land in Kennet, dubbed the Kilbagie BESS project.
Further afield, a mammoth facility has been suggested for Kincardine, capable of storing 342MW of electricity, adjacent to the existing Longannet substation.
Councillors are concerned of the dangers of the units overcharging, overheating and releasing flammable and potentially toxic battery gas.
The fire chief added: “We’re still capable of responding to these incidents when they do happen.”
The annual SFRS safety report compared trends over the last year to previous periods.
Overall, accidental dwelling fires were up, with 37 reported in Clackmannanshire, largely down to cooking mishaps, against 31 over 2023-24.
Deliberate blazes fell by 13, from 96 to 83, while responses to unwanted fire alarm signals were also down by 24.
The number of fire fatalities stood at three, while non-fatal casualties came in at 15, a jump on previous quarters.
The report highlighted that refuse fires led the way on deliberate fires, with 30 occurring in the last year.
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