AQW 16963/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 26/03/2021
Answered On Date: 06/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy how often reviews will be carried out to ensure that Northern Ireland is on target to meet her Department’s ambition of achieving 70% renewable generation by 2030.

Answer:

The new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland will include the Executive’s renewable electricity ambition. The strategy will be formally reviewed every five years, with mid-term reviews to assist with re-scoping priorities, re-assessing cost impacts and taking account of new technologies.

Reviews on progress of the previous 40% renewable electricity target by 2020 continues to be monitored on the basis of the proportion of electricity consumption generated from renewable sources, and outcomes are published by NISRA on a quarterly basis.

The methodology and frequency of monitoring for the new renewable electricity target will be dependent on the definition of the measure adopted and the frequency of supporting data. This will be informed by responses to the Energy Strategy consultation that was published on 31 March.