Minister Outlines Northern Ireland’s Energy Future At CBI Conference

Energy Minister, Arlene Foster  has outlined the ambitious plans  for Northern Ireland’s energy  future over the next decade.  Speaking at the annual CBI  Northern Ireland Energy Forum,  the Minister said that the  implementation of the Strategic  Energy Framework (SEF 2012)  for Northern Ireland was well  underway.  She stated: “As most of you here  today will be aware, the SEF  2010, which was endorsed by the  Northern Ireland Executive,  outlines ambitious and wide  ranging plans for Northern  Ireland’s energy future over the  next decade. The Framework  illustrates the key energy goals in  terms of building competitive  markets, ensuring security of  supply, enhancing sustainability  and developing our energy  infrastructure. It contains  new and challenging  renewable energy  targets, including 40%  renewable electricity and  10% renewable heat by  2020 and also recognises  that these will require  substantial investment  over the next decade.  She continued: “We are  now 18 months into  implementation of the  Framework and significant  progress has already  been made towards these  targets.  “However, many challenges still  remain ahead, not least due to  the fact that Northern Ireland is  such a small region and, as  energy is a world market issue,  this leaves us subject to whatever  fluctuations occur. It is also  important to  remember that my  Department continues  its work to develop the  gas network  extension as well as  the Renewable Heat  Incentive, the Carbon  Price Floor and offshore  leasing to name  but a few.  “Fluctuating gas and  electricity prices all  impacted on local  businesses, however,  the Minister said there was now  greater competition in both  markets.  She continued: “I welcome the  extension of the competitive  market which has been in place  for a number of years for larger  business users of electricity, and  I believe that the greater  transparency provided by the  Single Electricity Market has  contributed to new suppliers  entering the respective retail  electricity markets.  The Minister added that while she  acknowledged that last year’s  rises in gas and electricity prices  were unwelcome, Northern  Ireland – like the rest of the UK –  was somewhat at the mercy of  world energy markets.  Pictures by  Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye