AQW 52125/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 16/09/2026
Answered On Date: 06/10/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps she is taking to ensure that the Utility Regulator's price control determinations for SONI provide sufficient funding, to deliver the grid reinforcement and expansion required to meet Northern Ireland's renewable electricity targets.

Answer:

The Utility Regulator is responsible for determining the level of funding provided to SONI through the price control process and is currently assessing SONI's latest price control submission as part of its independent statutory functions.

The delivery of electricity network reinforcement and expansion will be critical to achieving the North’s target of 80% renewable electricity consumption by 2030.

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