Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of the frequently asked questions about the BESS projects - we have done our best to provide answers
What is BESS?
BESS = Battery Energy Storage Systems - see these 3 key links for explanations:
National Grid = https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-battery-storage
House of Commons = https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7621/
Wikipedia = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_energy_storage_system
Battery storage is a green technology – so it must be good for us?
Battery storage is being green-washed as the developers tell us it is needed to store renewable energy. This is not correct – the batteries will store electricity bought from the grid – this could have been generated by any source.
The batteries themselves are lithium-ion - please do a quick Google search on how lithium is mined - it is not clean or environmentally friendly.
Then there is the fabrication of the metal containers that they are situated in, and the concrete bases that these sit on. Additional Google search on how concrete is made – again, not clean or environmentally friendly. Plus the diesel for all the lorry movements needed to move the containers, take away the earth from the foundations and deliver the concrete.
Finally, there is end-of-life considerations – these BESS sites are planned to be operated for between 25-40 years, but the batteries only last 10-years and then have to be replaced; and at the end of the project, how much effort will be put into returning the land to its original condition?
The developer says fires are really rare - is that true?
Lithium-ion battery fires are actually becoming quite common (think electric scooters and Tesla cars). BESS site fires are less common, but are increasing as more sites are installed.
There was a fire at the Overhill BESS site in Rothienorman in February 2025.
There was also a fire at the Tilbury BESS site in Essex in February 2025, and at Cirencester BESS in March 2025.
There is a full list of reported BESS fires worldwide here:
https://storagewiki.epri.com/index.php/BESS_Failure_Incident_Database
What is the best extinguishing agent for a fire in a BESS?
It is not possible to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire. All the fire-brigade can do is cool the container with water to prevent the spread of the fire to other units and try to keep it contained.
​I’ve heard that a BESS can reignite several days after a fire has been extinguished, is this true?
Lithium-ion batteries have shown they can ignite, or reignite, long after they have been damaged or involved in a fire - hours, days, or even weeks later.