Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-25416

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 22 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any fire safety documentation related to the development of the proposed battery storage facility at Hunterston, North Ayrshire.

An application was made to Scottish Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 by FlexibleGridPower2 Ltd for the electricity generating station known as Hunterston Grid Services Complex at Campbelton Farm on 17 August 2021.

With reference to the application in question, Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The Electricity (Applications for Consent) Regulations 1990 apply to all applications to construct and operate electricity generating stations under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. There is no legal requirement for fire safety documentation to be included with applications made under these regulations.

All documents submitted by the developer in support of the application are published on the Scottish Government Energy Consents website at .

Question reference: S6W-25418

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 22 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what fire safety documentation applicants are required to provide when seeking consent for a development from its Energy and Climate Change Directorate.

Applicants are not required to submit any supporting fire safety documentation when seeking consent for a development. This is because fire precautions and matters relating to health and safety are not relevant to planning, as they are covered by other legislation.

The Electricity (Applications for Consent) Regulations 1990 apply to all applications to construct and operate electricity generating stations under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. There is no legal requirement for fire safety documentation to be included with applications made under these regulations.

Matters relating to fire risk are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive, Britain’s Health and Safety regulator. Their remit includes health and safety in the workplace as well as public assurance on safety matters. Health and Safety is a reserved matter, with applicable UK legislation including the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. HSE considers there to be a robust regulatory regime covering the fire risks associated with battery energy storage systems.

As a matter of routine, the Scottish Government will consult the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Health and Safety Executive on any new battery storage applications received and take into account any responses received.

Question reference: S6W-25415

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 22 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been any consultation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding any potential thermal runaway events at the proposed battery storage facility at Hunterston, North Ayrshire.

An application was made to Scottish Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 by FlexibleGridPower2 Ltd for the electricity generating station known as Hunterston Grid Services Complex at Campbelton Farm on 17 August 2021.

As a matter of routine, the Scottish Government will consult the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Health and Safety Executive on any new battery storage applications received.

With reference to the application in question, Scottish Ministers consulted SFRS, who did not respond to the consultation. This detail was indicated on page 5 of the decision letter for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

The decision letter including all conditions may be viewed at under ‘Documents / Determinations’.

Question reference: S6O-03148

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a long-term commitment to retain the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry service.

Question reference: S6W-25398

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the provision of shoreside recharging facilities for battery-powered ferries at harbours on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

The Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP) will see Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) procure up to 10 small vessels across two phases which will serve the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service network. This will provide modern, standardised vessels that are capable of as close to zero emission operation as possible.

As part of the programme, CMAL will undertake associated enabling works to the shore side infrastructure to provide suitable shore power supply for charging batteries onboard. The work is progressing in relation to the Port feasibility studies for the relevant projects and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Scottish Power are involved in carrying out feasibility studies for the shore side power availability.

Ministers are currently considering the outline business case for SVRP and an update will be provided once a decision on investment has been taken. Cold ironing (shore charging) projects associated with the new Islay vessels and Little Minch vessels are also underway ahead of their delivery.

Question reference: S6W-25224

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24320 by Neil Gray on 19 January 2024, on what date it anticipates that it will report the outcomes from the business case and cost review exercise for upgrading Ardrossan Harbour.

I wrote to the Ardrossan Task Force on the 27 November 2023 to advise that the business case and cost review exercise for the Ardrossan Harbour project is currently being progressed. Transport Scotland and our project partners continue to make progress in the development of the business case and the updated cost estimate reviews with additional information expected in February. Once the business case review has been compiled, a meeting of the taskforce can be arranged, allowing the outcomes of the business case and cost exercise to be shared.

Question reference: S6W-25401

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the potential effect of the closure of the Irish Berth at Ardrossan Harbour on (a) ferry passenger groups and (b) CalMac staff.

It is for CalMac as operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service in the first instance to determine any actions that need to be taken in response to the closure of the Irish berth, maintaining safe links that the communities rely upon.

We understand and empathise with those affected and continue to impress upon Peel Ports Group and CalMac the urgency of the situation. Transport Scotland will continue to work with CalMac to monitor the ongoing impacts on all affected by the amended services and closure of the Irish Berth at Ardrossan.

Question reference: S6W-25397

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Ardrossan Harbour Task Force has met to date, and what any (a) staffing and (b) resource implications are for Transport Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-25400

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how regularly it receives updates from CMAL regarding the chartering of additional ferries for service on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

Question reference: S6W-25222

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that CalMac will begin crew familiarisation on the Glen Sannox.

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Chamber and committees