Debate contribution: Energy Security: Renewables

Debate contribution by Mr Phillip Brett on 24 March 2026.

MLA

Mr Phillip Brett

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

24 March 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Energy Security: Renewables

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5463700

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. On the eve of recess, a discussion about energy policy may not interest everyone, but it is a really important issue. I thank Mr Honeyford and Ms Nicholl for the debate. For me and my party, there are three key issues at the heart of the debate: the security of energy supply; the cost of energy not just for households but for businesses; and, unfortunately, the obsession with net zero among some parties in the Chamber, regardless of the cost, regardless of the impact and, more importantly, regardless of the facts. However, let us start with some positivity from me. I agree with quite a bit of what is in the Alliance Party motion. First, the North/South interconnector is a vital infrastructure project that will be vital to the energy security not just of Northern Ireland but of this island, and it will be vital in ensuring that we continue to try to drive down prices. Therefore, I support its inclusion in the motion. I recognise, as Ms Nicholl outlined, the need for us to get on with our grid connectivity and grid connection policy.

I do not think that it will be lost on the people watching the debate that, on this important issue, Sinn Féin has a partitionist policy, and that it is actually the DUP that is pushing forward all-island collaboration. When it comes to long-term storage, as Ms Nicholl articulated, we need to see a policy decision made by the Department so that planning permissions can be submitted and granted. Unfortunately, that is where my agreement with the proposer of the motion ends. She mentioned that she supports another east-west interconnector, but, tellingly, that did not make it into the motion that is before us today. It is not just me who has highlighted the importance of a further east-west interconnector. Just last week, the Utility Regulator, when giving evidence to our Committee, made clear that, from his perspective, if we are to move anywhere near to meeting our targets in 2050, and to ensure further security of supply, we will need that additional interconnector. That is why the amendment from me and my party colleagues makes that point. There is also nothing in the motion that addresses the important issue of the dispatch down rate here in Northern Ireland. Just two weeks ago, officials from the energy division in the Department for the Economy made clear that dispatch down rates are nearly hitting 30%. For those who do not know the technical term "dispatch down", that is when renewable energy is produced but has to be released into the atmosphere because we are unable to fully utilise it. Currently, we are in a scenario where 30% of wind renewable energy produced here in Northern Ireland is unable to be used by the network or by consumers and is simply being released into the atmosphere. That is why we need to ensure that we have a proper policy in place to address those issues. The Minister might articulate some of the work that she has started with the dispatch down group in her Department that meets on a weekly basis to try to improve those issues. I also want to focus on the fact that it is not just the DUP that is saying that the targets set for 2030 will not be met. There is a growing body of evidence from those outside the political chambers making that point. Just last week, the Utility Regulator, when questioned by me, made clear that the 2030 targets will not be met. Does that mean that the condemnation in the Alliance Party motion of those who recognise that we will not meet the 2030 targets includes the Utility Regulator? Just last month, the chief executive of Northern Ireland Electricity made clear that, in his view, we will not meet the 2030 targets.

I will in one second. Does that mean that the motion condemns Northern Ireland Electricity Networks? I will happily give way to the Member.

I agree 100%. I want to put all my efforts and for our party to put all its efforts into meeting them. However, at some point, Ms Nicholl, we need to stop gaslighting the public. All that we are doing by getting up here and saying nice words about the targets being met is lying to the public. Professionals who operate on that network daily are saying that we will not meet the targets. Standing up in the Chamber and pretending otherwise is, frankly, nonsense. When we get to 2030 and have not met them, what will we say to people? Every day that we are in the Chamber, people condemn the Executive and Assembly for saying one thing and doing the complete opposite. The facts are clear. Whether I like it or not and whether you like it or not, we will not meet the 2030 targets, so let us be honest about that with the public. Otherwise, why would people have faith in these institutions when politicians read out scripted remarks claiming that we will reach those targets when, in fact, professionals who operate in the sector daily say that we will not meet them? That does not mean that we give up and do not do everything that we can. That is why the Minister has my support in producing the renewable energy price guarantee scheme. It will be vital in attracting the investment that Ms Nicholl set out. That is why the Minister has my support in developing the North/South interconnector, trying to address the issue of dispatch down and developing an interconnection policy so that we can deliver not just the North/South interconnector but an additional east-west one that we need and that will benefit all our businesses. Our amendment is reasonable. I have not heard why the Alliance Party will not support it. Ms Nicholl said that, by focusing completely on fossil fuels, we were being economically illiterate. We make clear in our amendment that there needs to be:

"an appropriate energy mix, combining greater renewable energy generation with ongoing and essential supplies of fossil fuels".

Just because Members may not like the use of fossil fuels, that does not take away the essential nature of them. If we were to stop any use of fossil fuels, Northern Ireland would be in a blackout tomorrow. Was it not the Alliance Party that just yesterday called for energy support for customers who use oil? The last time I checked, oil is a fossil fuel. Perhaps, Alliance policy has changed from what it was yesterday, which was that the UK Government should fund fossil fuel support through oil for householders. Today, the party will not support it.

I will happily give way.

I say this to the Member for North Antrim: what is disingenuous is getting up here and saying that fossil fuels are terrible, we need to end their use tomorrow and we must have all our energy from renewables and then rejecting an amendment that makes it clear that we need to continue support due to the vital nature of fossil fuels and for those who are most in need. By pursuing our current policies, Northern Ireland has the highest energy prices for businesses anywhere in Europe. That is impacting not just on my constituents but on Ms Mulholland's constituents in North Antrim. It is the result of the funding that we are ploughing into projects that have ultimately made no difference in achieving those targets. The Audit Office report makes it clear that the legislation and work that has been done to date have made no tangible impact on that. I want to play my part in transitioning to net zero, but getting up here every week, gaslighting the public and pretending that we will meet targets in 2030 while inflicting economic vandalism on the people of Northern Ireland is a ridiculous position to be in. We have an opportunity to support an amendment that recognises the importance of continuing the use of fossil fuels while continuing to ensure that we play our role in transitioning towards net zero. The public deserve honesty from their politicians. Today, they have the opportunity to get it.

1,375 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:16 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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