Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, has raised serious concerns with Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister, about the need for the Welsh Government to help planning authorities and residents to understand the dangers of battery storage.
There is around 4GW of electricity storage operational in Great Britain, made up of 3GW of pumped hydro storage and 1GW of newer lithium-ion battery storage that has been built since 2017.
A US database listing fires at Battery Energy Storage Systems found 63 examples worldwide since 2011.
Speaking after scrutinising the First Minister, Janet said:
“As we are pushing towards Net Zero 2050 and more renewable energy, there is an urgent need to improve energy storage capacity.
“Lithium-ion battery storage has amazing potential. It typically operates at durations of 30 minutes to 4 hours, and has significantly reduced in cost: around 90% since 2010!
“It can provide rapid response to changes in system needs, but there is fear of battery farms being developed because of fire risk.
“The Welsh Government needs to provide strong leadership to planning authorities and residents through clarifying what the fire risks are.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS in the Senedd
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders AS, Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd yr Wrthblaid, wedi rhannu pryderon difrifol gyda Mark Drakeford AS, y Prif Weinidog, am yr angen i Lywodraeth Cymru helpu awdurdodau cynllunio a thrigolion i ddeall peryglon storio batris.
Mae tua 4GW o drydan wedi’i storio yn weithredol ym Mhrydain, sy'n cynnwys 3GW o systemau storio hydro pwmpio a 1GW o systemau storio batri lithiwm-ion mwy newydd sydd wedi'u hadeiladu ers 2017.
Canfu cronfa ddata o'r Unol Daleithiau sy'n rhestru tanau mewn Systemau Storio Ynni Batri 63 o enghreifftiau ledled y byd ers 2011.
Wrth siarad ar ôl croesholi’r Prif Weinidog, dywedodd Janet:
"Wrth i ni anelu at Sero Net 2050 a mwy o ynni adnewyddadwy, mae angen gwella capasiti storio ynni ar frys.
"Mae gan systemau storio batri lithiwm-ion botensial anhygoel. Fel arfer mae'n gweithredu ar gyfnodau o 30 munud i 4 awr, ac mae wedi lleihau'n sylweddol mewn cost: tua 90% ers 2010!
"Gall ddarparu ymateb cyflym i newidiadau yn anghenion y system, ond mae gofid y bydd ffermydd batri yn cael eu datblygu oherwydd risg tân.
"Mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru roi arweiniad cadarn i awdurdodau cynllunio a thrigolion drwy egluro beth yw'r peryglon tân."
DIWEDD
