Fears huge battery energy storage park near Ibrox could be fire hazard

The facility on Broomloan Road would be built on a distillery storage yard, which is due to move.

Energy would be released to the grid during peak times from renewable sources including wind turbines or solar panels.

Govan Community Council has raised concerns about a potential fire risk at the facility but the developer has said safety measures will be included.

Lifetime Property Limited has submitted a planning application to install 22 battery containers measuring about 2.4 metres by 12 metres with a capacity of 49.9 mega watts.

It is proposed the facility would be connected to the nearby electricity sub station on Helen Street. A planning statement said it would “be used to store energy from renewable sources when demand is lower (at night) for redistribution when demand is higher (during the day).”

The area would be protected by a 2.4 metre fence and the site would also host transformers, converter stations, sub station, parking and a new road.

But Govan Community Council has raised concerns about it being a fire risk and pointing out blazes have occurred elsewhere.

It said in a statement: “Govan Community Council has concerns about fire safety in relation to this battery storage facility. Whilst we have no reason to think there is anything particularly unusual about this development we are conscious that there has been a history of serious fires involving these facilities around the world.”

It added: “We are particularly concerned because of the location of this facility. This is not a remote rural location. Although the facility is within an industrial area it is still located in a built up area. It is surrounded by many industrial units on both sides of Broomloan Road. Ibrox Stadium is only about 200 metres away. There is tenement housing on Copland Road about 400 metres east.”

A planning statement submitted to the council on behalf of the applicant said the facility would incorporate safety measures.

It said they would include a “battery management system which ensures the batteries operate within safe temperatures, detection systems to identify any temperature increases or other potential issues before they cause any harm, and fire suppression systems.”

Laying out out the potential benefits of the new development, the statement said it would “provide a clean and stable source of renewable energy” and deliver “economic benefits.”

Other plus points are it is “consistent with the site’s existing use” and will not “have any negative impact on existing business on the industrial estate or on the amenity of the residents in the surrounding area” according to the statement. It is also said to comply with the Glasgow city development plan.

A consultation has taken place. Glasgow City Council is due to consider the planning application.