AQW 52123/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 16/09/2026
Answered On Date: 29/09/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment that has been made of SONI's current grid connection queue, including (i) the number of renewable energy projects awaiting connection; (ii) the average waiting time for a grid connection offer; and (iii) any steps the Utility Regulator has taken to address any delays in that process.

Answer:

Through the Grid Development Monitoring Group, my Department brings together senior representatives from SONI, NIE Networks, the Utility Regulator and other stakeholders to oversee progress on network development, identify barriers to delivery and support the timely progression of the infrastructure required to facilitate increased renewable electricity generation.

Information on projects seeking connection to the transmission system is published in SONI's Connections Register. As of 17 August 2026, SONI's Connections Register reports 33 effective connection applications awaiting connection across a range of technologies including renewable energy projects.

Under the terms of its licence, SONI is required to provide connection offers as soon as practicable and, where it has received all information reasonably required, normally within three months. Where SONI requires longer than three months to issue a connection offer, it must obtain the Utility Regulator's consent to an extension. Through this process, the Utility Regulator oversees requests for additional time, and details of any extensions granted are published on its website.