Minister publishes the Mid-Term Review of the Executive’s Energy Strategy: The Path to Net Zero Energy
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has published the Mid-Term Review of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Energy Strategy: The Path to Net Zero Energy.
The Review highlights the significant achievements over four years of strategy delivery, assesses progress against three core targets, addresses delivery challenges, and proposes strengthened governance arrangements to ensure success in achieving the 2030 targets.
The publication describes the significant progress being made in the delivery of the Energy Strategy, including:
- A 53% growth in the turnover of the region’s low-carbon and renewable energy economy since 2015;
- £72 million of ‘invest to save’ across 160 projects delivering annual energy savings of more than £10 million in the government estate and lowering emissions; and
- Publication of the final scheme design for the Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (support scheme).
Commenting on these achievements, Minister Archibald said: “While we are focused on the challenge of accelerating delivery, it is important to take stock of the significant progress to date from our collective efforts. Our focus for the remainder of the decade will be to build on these achievements.
“By setting ambitious but achievable goals, the Strategy is clearly encouraging innovation, growing our local economy, creating skilled jobs and enhancing the region’s competitiveness.”
The Department has also produced a suite of updated energy evidence reports, and an interactive dashboard tracking progress against energy strategy targets and metrics.
The Minister added: “This Mid-Term Review provides a transparent account of our progress, the challenges we must overcome, and the actions we are taking to strengthen governance and delivery.
“The prize at the heart of our energy transition is self-sufficiency in affordable, renewable energy, a transformation that will protect households from volatile energy costs and strengthen the competitiveness of our businesses.
“I want to thank all who have contributed to this progress. Together, we will continue to build a cleaner, fairer, and more prosperous future for all our citizens.”
Notes to editors:
1. The Executive’s Energy Strategy was published at the end of 2021, followed by the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. It sets out 2030 targets on a pathway to net zero energy by 2050, aiming to make energy secure, affordable and clean for current and future generations.
2. The Energy Strategy is a shared commitment across government, with oversight and delivery coordinated through the Energy Strategy Oversight Group.
3. The Mid-Term Review Publication can be accessed at www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/mid-term-review-energy-strategy-path-net-zero-energy
4. The three core Energy Strategy targets are:
- Energy Savings: Deliver energy savings of 25% from buildings and industry by 2030.
- Renewables: Meet at least 80% of electricity consumption from a diverse mix of renewable sources by 2030.
- Green Economy: Double the size of our low carbon and renewable energy economy to a turnover of more than £2 billion by 2030.
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6. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at: pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.