Thank you for your request under the Environmental Information Regulations.
We can confirm that Essex County Fire & Rescue Service (ECFRS) does hold some of the information you have requested.
Please see below the answer to your request.
Questions and final response
Question 1- Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would be grateful if you could advise of any incidents, including fires, at grid scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) sites in your area between 1st January 2015 and the present day. Please also provide details of the volume of water required to gain control of the Statera BESS fire at East Tilbury on 19th February 2025
We have searched our records for any BESS sites attended by ECFRS since 2015, Incident 265149 Station Rd, East Tilbury, Thurrock, time of call: 19/02/2025 15:51:24. is the one incident that is shown.
We attach an Incident report containing the details including resources used.
A tactical controlled burn was employed to manage the Stratera BESS fire at East Tilbury.
The application of water served to protect surrounding risks and prevent further escalation, rather than to directly control the BESS itself.
Efforts were made to recycle water at the earliest opportunity, minimising overall usage and environmental impact.
During the incident, the firefighting tactics employed would have been intermittent (the application of water only being used when required to protect the risk) therefore it would not be possible to provide an exact volume of water used, however, its application was carefully monitored throughout.
We hope this information is useful to you.