Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year Ending March 2019

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

Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year Ending March 2019

The ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending March 2019’ 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 per cent of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2015” and the Executive’s 2010-20 Strategic Energy Framework which includes a target to achieve 40 per cent of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

Main results:  

• For the 12 month period April 2018 to March 2019, 38.6 per cent of total electricity consumption in Northern Ireland was generated from renewable sources located in Northern Ireland. This represents an increase of 2.1 percentage points on the previous 12 month period (April 2017 to March 2018) and is the highest rolling 12 month proportion on record.
• In terms of the volume of electricity consumption, between April 2018 and March 2019 approximately 7,809 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of total electricity was consumed in Northern Ireland.  Of this, some 3,012 GWh was generated from renewable sources within Northern Ireland. This is the highest rolling 12 month volume of renewable electricity generated on record.
• Of all renewable electricity generated within Northern Ireland over the 12 month period April 2018 to March 2019, 83.0 per cent was generated from wind. This compares to 84.8 per cent for the previous 12 month period (April 2017 to March 2018).

The full report is available at the Electricty Consumption and Renewable Generation Statistics page.   

Notes to editors: 

1. 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.
2. Electricity produced by those who generate their own electricity (for their own use but some of which may ‘spill’ onto the distribution network) is excluded as information about such ‘microgeneration’ or consumption is not available to NIE Networks or SONI.
3. 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.
4. 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. 
5. For media enquiries, please contact DfE Press Office on 028 9052 9604. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.
6. General information on the Electricity Consumption and Renewable 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.

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