Debate contribution: Green Energy Transition

Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on 24 March 2025.

MLA

Dr Caoimhe Archibald

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

24 March 2025

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Opposition Business

Heading

Green Energy Transition

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4865291

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

I too welcome the opportunity to speak about this important issue. It is clear that we need to accelerate progress if we are to meet our climate targets and ensure energy security for the future, so I am pleased that the Assembly has committed to supporting industry to increase renewable electricity capacity by 40% by the end of the mandate. Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, and moving away from fossil fuels is a vital part of the transition to a more sustainable way of life. Our net zero targets are legal requirements, but, more than that, they are a moral obligation to the well-being of future generations. We have made significant progress in deploying renewable generation. That is largely due to the NIRO, which helped to increase renewable electricity consumption from around 3% in 2005 to 40% in 2018, meeting the 2020 40% target two years early. Since the closure of the NIRO, there has been no support scheme for the North, and we must now significantly increase renewables capacity to meet our 2030 legislative target. My Department has been developing a new support scheme based on the Contracts for Difference mechanism commonly used in many countries to incentivise investment in renewable energy. That auction-based scheme is crucial in enabling the delivery of the 80% target. Unlike direct subsidy models such as the NIRO, the contractual approach ensures that generators receive a stable and predictable revenue stream while shielding consumers from excessive price volatility. We are now in the delivery phase of the scheme, and I plan to bring primary legislation before the Assembly this year, with subordinate regulations to follow as we move towards implementation. The success of the support scheme and, ultimately, of renewable targets depends on several factors that need collaboration across government and with the Utility Regulator and energy companies. I hear the issues that David has raised. Last week, I met RenewableNI in relation to those as well. Obviously, I want to see the support scheme progress, but I gave a commitment to look at those issues in detail as we progress it. The Department for Infrastructure has revised its policy on renewable and low-carbon energy so that it better supports the transition to net zero. I support the updated strategic planning policy statement on renewable and low-carbon energy and hope that it will be considered by the Executive without further delay. I also recognise that increasing renewable deployment must be matched by investment in infrastructure. Work is ongoing with key partners to ensure that our grid and energy systems are prepared to accommodate greater levels of clean energy. The Utility Regulator approved the Northern Ireland Electricity Networks RP7 business plan late last year. It allows for £2·23 billion of investment over the next six years for the operation and expansion of the electricity grid. It is the largest amount approved in our history and will go a long way to delivering the network that we need. We also need to continue to work with counterparts in the South to progress the North/South interconnector, which will benefit electricity consumers, increase security of supply and facilitate more renewable electricity onto the grid. Offshore development represents one of the biggest opportunities for renewable energy. My Department is working closely with key stakeholders to ensure that we have the right policy, regulatory and market structures in place to enable offshore development for the North from 2030. Our offshore renewable energy action plan (OREAP) has been collaboratively developed across Departments and delivery partners, including the Crown Estate, DFI, DAERA and industry. In February, as part of that work, my Department launched a public consultation on the strategic environmental assessments for offshore renewable energy in our marine area. The consultation will help to identify areas for the potential development of offshore renewable energy. The renewables sector presents a significant economic opportunity, with an estimated pipeline of investment worth hundreds of millions of pounds in new projects. Since the energy strategy was published in 2021, my Department has taken forward several initiatives focused on providing financial assistance for energy efficiency and small-scale renewables. Over the past four years, an energy invest-to-save fund has operated in the government estate and has supported over £73 million worth of energy projects, delivering cost savings across eight Departments, including Health, Infrastructure and Education. Savings are currently valued at over £8 million annually. That includes revenue generation. It has been incredibly important at a time when all Departments face financial constraints. In May 2024, Invest NI launched the energy and resource efficiency programme, which helps businesses to install energy-efficient equipment, including renewable technologies, whilst supporting resource efficiency and offering technical support for businesses to go green. The programme has supported the wider business community to make savings at a time when operating costs are challenging. I now turn to households. My Department has worked with the Utility Regulator to provide £3·5 million in additional funding to the NI sustainable energy programme (NISEP), over the past two years. The funding has helped support insulation measures in 1,500 low-income households. Our Programme for Government commits us to decarbonisation and economic development through renewables. While challenges remain, we are taking positive steps through the renewable electricity support scheme, energy and resource efficiency and infrastructure investment. Ongoing collaboration across the Executive is also essential to ensure a sustainable, secure and affordable energy future. We must continue to work together across government, industry and communities to seize the opportunities of the green energy transition. I look forward to further engagement with Members on those crucial issues.

938 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:13 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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