Minister's speech - Energy Ireland Conference 2025 - 11 June 2025

Note: This publication may not reflect verbatim delivery by Minister Archibald

Good morning, everyone, I’m delighted to be alongside Minister O’Brien to speak about the opportunities and challenges we face – many of which are shared - as we navigate the energy transition across this island.

That transition is a moral necessity, and a legal requirement under the Climate Change Act.

Bringing people on this journey – changing individual behaviour, how companies operate, and how our economy is structured - is challenging.

But there is an opportunity for a more prosperous and a fairer economy.

In the north we are approaching the mid-way point of our 10-year Energy Strategy.

When the Strategy was launched in 2021, we were still recovering from the Covid Pandemic.

In 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine and energy costs spiraled, triggering a cost of living and a cost-of-doing-business crisis.

That has been hugely difficult for households and businesses, but it underlines the importance of Ireland becoming self-sufficient in renewable energy.

As part of the Energy Strategy my Department publishes an annual Action Plan.

My plan for 2025 identifies 19 cross-government actions which will move us towards delivery of our 2030 targets, which includes the commitment to deliver at least 80% of our electricity consumption from a diverse mix of renewable sources by 2030.

One of the actions in my 2025 plan is to publish a Green Skills Action Plan, and this was delivered last month.

This is crucial because if we are to deliver the transition, and realise the economic opportunities it presents, then we need to equip our people with the right skills.

This was co-designed with industry and my officials engaged with their counterparts in the south to explore how we can maximise our collective interests in developing these ‘green skills’.

Implementation and delivery of our energy transition of course, will be driven by many of those in the room today; as innovators, as investors, and as implementors.

And as Economy Minister, it is my job to make sure you are enabled by government to do this.

Later this month, I will publish the final scheme design for a Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee in the North.

The publication of this final design is a significant milestone, which will support the North in again becoming a competitive and attractive option for investment in renewables.

I will also bring primary legislation for the scheme to the Assembly this year, with subordinate regulations to follow.

Increasing renewable deployment must be matched by investment in infrastructure and work is ongoing to ensure our grid and energy systems accommodate greater levels of clean electricity.

Delivery of the North South Interconnector will be critical in delivering all-island security of supply, with efficient operation of the network, and more renewable generation on the island.

This year I am also launching a Smart Meters Design Plan.

The roll-out of smart meters will empower consumers to take control of their own energy usage, while enabling a data-driven electricity grid ready to support the delivery of greater levels of renewables.

I will also publish the design for future low carbon heat and energy efficiency support in residential buildings.

This will support the uptake of low carbon heating, moving homes away from fossil-fuel reliance, and provide a stimulus for jobs creation and skills.

And I will confirm arrangements for connection of offshore renewable energy to the grid.

This is a key step towards ensuring we can utilise the abundance of renewable resources available on our coasts as we move towards a net zero future.

Another key action this year, will be support for the sustainability of biomethane used in our gas network, to complement our large agricultural sector.

So, much is underway but we have much more to do.

By the end of this year my department will have completed a mid-term review of our Energy Strategy.

This will allow us to reflect on progress to date, but also to learn lessons for the future.

It’s also important to say that while I am responsible for energy, this is very much a collective effort across the Executive.

For example, the Environment Minister, Andrew Muir, recently brought a Climate Action Plan to the Executive for its consideration.

It’s only by working together than we can secure the transition.

And that very much applies to working across the island so just to finish by thanking Owen McQuade and his team for organising this conference and for giving us the opportunity to share the progress being made across the island.

Thank you.