AQW 22509/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 13/02/2025
Answered On Date: 24/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, in relation to plans to develop new electricity interconnection projects on a north-south and east-west basis, to detail how her Department is coordinating with industry and education partners to ensure we have the skills capacity in the system to deliver on these schemes.

Answer:

My Department is working with SONI and NIE Networks on delivery of the second North South Interconnector. This will improve the operation of the wholesale island electricity market by reducing inefficiency, increasing competition and improving security of supply here and bring material benefits to electricity consumers.

On the East-West interconnector, Transmission Investment has proposed a new interconnector (also known as LirIC), between the North and Scotland. In December last year the Utility Regulator granted a transmission license to LirIC. This is the first stage of a two-step process, and the Utility Regulator will now move to assess its proposed operating regime.

The soon to be launched Green Skills Action Plan has identified Infrastructure, which includes the electricity network, as a priority area. A industry led sub-group, which will have representation from the utilities sector as well as both higher and further education, is being established to look at the skills requirement for the priority sectors and advise the Department on the skills and timeline for delivery.