Report on Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year Ending December 2016 published today

Date published: 09 March 2017

A report detailing the percentage of electricity consumption in Northern Ireland generated from renewable sources has been published today.

The ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Electricity Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending December 2016’ report details the percentage of electricity consumption in Northern Ireland generated from renewable sources and includes information on the type of renewable generation used.

 

The report reflects performance against the 2011-15 Programme for Government target which was to “Encourage achievement of 20% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2015” and the Executive’s 2010-20 Strategic Energy Framework which includes a target to achieve 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

 

Main results: 

 

  • For the 12 month period from January 2016 to December 2016, 25.4% of total electricity consumption in Northern Ireland was generated from renewable sources located in Northern Ireland. This represents no change on the previous 12 month period (January 2015 to December 2015).

 

  • In terms of the volume of electricity consumption between January 2016 and December 2016, approximately 7,794 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of total electricity was consumed in Northern Ireland.  Of this, some 1,981 GWh was generated from renewable sources within Northern Ireland.

 

  • Of the renewable electricity generated within Northern Ireland between January 2016 and December 2016, 82.6% was generated from wind sources. This compares to 89.6% for the previous 12 month period (January 2015 to December 2015).

Notes to editors: 

  1. The full report is available from the DfE website.  
  2. The information presented in the report is derived from data provided to the Department for the Economy on a monthly basis by Northern Ireland Networks Ltd (NIE Networks). The monthly renewable electricity generation data is derived by aggregating output from renewable electricity generators who are connected to the transmission and distribution network using a combination of data held by NIE Networks and the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI). The renewable electricity generation data details the total amount of renewable electricity generated by such generators in Northern Ireland, by type of generation, for each month excluding any transmission and distribution losses.
  3. Electricity produced by those who generate their own electricity (mainly for their own use but some of which may ‘spill’ onto the distribution network) is excluded as information about such ‘micro generation’ or consumption is not available to NIE Networks.
  4. Electricity consumption refers to the total amount of electricity consumption in Northern Ireland as recorded via metered data by NIE Networks. Losses in transmission and distribution and any non-metered consumption are excluded.
  5. Electricity generated from renewable sources refers to renewable generators physically located within Northern Ireland and recorded by NIE Networks and SONI. It excludes microgeneration and any imported electricity derived from known or unknown renewable sources. 
  6. For media enquiries, please contact DfE Press Office on 028 9052 9604. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.
  7. General information on the Electricity Consumption and Renewable Electricity Generation for Northern Ireland report can be obtained from Sean Donnelly, DfE Analytical Services by email or by telephone on 028 9052 9793.

Share this page

Back to top