AQW 17171/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 13/04/2021
Answered On Date: 21/04/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for her assessment of whether the Utility Regulator’s remit is outdated, and needs reviewed, as suggested by some stakeholders, in the University of Exeter’s Report on Energy governance for the Northern Ireland energy transition.

Answer:

Regulation was identified as a delivery priority in the consultation on Policy Options for a new Energy Strategy which I launched last month.

The consultation outlines my Department’s intention to work with the Utility Regulator to review the adequacy of its legislative remit in the context of the Energy Strategy.

Furthermore, in its 2021/22 Forward Work Programme, the Utility Regulator has also committed to reviewing the adequacy of its legislative remit in the context of emerging industry requirement and change.

I would encourage you and your constituents to respond to the consultation to help inform our policies to deliver net zero carbon and affordable energy.