AQW 36490/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 28/11/2025
Answered On Date: 15/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Assembly Commission to detail any strategy to (i) transition Parliament Buildings away from dependence on fossil fuels; and (ii) further increase production of renewable energy on site.

Answer:

The Assembly Commission’s Sustainable Development Office continues to work with partners to progress the transition of Parliament Buildings away from dependence on fossil fuels. As part of a framework agreement with DoF, all of the electricity used within Parliament Buildings is generated from renewable energy sources. In addition, officials are in collaboration with the Department for the Economy on the development of geothermal technology across the wider Stormont Estate and the investigation of potential low-carbon heating options for Parliament Buildings. These explorations form part of the Assembly Commission’s wider sustainability work aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuel–based systems.

The Assembly Commission has implemented a range of measures to reduce its carbon footprint. Due to the limited land within the Assembly Commission’s curtilage, the scope for installing large-scale renewable technologies on site is restricted. However, the Assembly Commission has already installed photovoltaic panels, solar thermal tubes and rainwater-harvesting systems, and continues to keep opportunities for additional on-site renewable energy generation under review.