Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year Ending March 2016
Date published:
The ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Electricity Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending March 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 ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Electricity Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending March 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 is 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 April 2015 to March 2016, 25.4% of total electricity consumption in Northern Ireland was generated from renewable sources located in Northern Ireland. This represents an increase of 5.5 percentage points on the previous 12 month period (April 2014 to March 2015).
In terms of the volume of electricity consumption between April 2015 and March 2016, approximately 7,791 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of total electricity was consumed in Northern Ireland. Of this, some 1,979 GWh was generated from renewable sources within Northern Ireland.
Of the renewable electricity generated and consumed within Northern Ireland between April 2015 and March 2016, 90.2% was generated from wind sources.
The full report is available at Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation Statistics
Notes to editors:
- The information presented in the report is derived from data provided to DfE 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Electricity generated from renewable sources refers to renewable generators physically located within Northern Ireland and recorded by NIE Networks and SONI. It excludes micro-generation and any imported electricity derived from known or unknown renewable sources.
- For media enquiries, please contact DfE Press Office on 028 9052 9604. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
- 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 at: sean.donnelly@economy-ni.gov.uk or by telephone on 028 9052 9793.