THE NORTHERN IRELAND
ENERGY TRANSITION
In June 2019 the UK government committed to law an obligation to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050. Since then, the UK government has continued to develop a wide range of policy initiatives to help the UK deliver upon its climate change commitments.
In Northern Ireland energy policy is devolved. At the end of 2021 the Department for the Economy (DfE) published a new energy strategy for Northern Ireland, which seeks to promote green growth, improve energy efficiency in homes and buildings and promote the further build out of renewable electricity generation. The strategy also supports the development of other decarbonisation initiatives, including renewable gases (biomethane and hydrogen), geothermal energy and more.
In June 2022 the NI Executive passed the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland). Like the climate change legislation introduced in other parts of the UK and Ireland, this act commits Northern Ireland to legally binding commitments on decarbonisation, including development of Climate Action Plans, Carbon Budgets, and the commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. It also set out a target for at least 80% of electricity in Northern Ireland to come from renewable sources by 2030.
What are we doing to help?
Mutual Energy has set up an Energy Transition function that will focus on the following areas:
Key areas of interest for Mutual Energy include:
• Hydrogen
• Biomethane
• Renewable gas interconnection
• Electrical interconnection
• Large-scale energy storage solutions
• Offshore grid development
• Geothermal energy
• Carbon capture and storage solutions
• Cross-border policy coordination
• Development of appropriate market arrangements.
Our Team
The Energy Transition function is a small but growing strategic team within the business.
For further information on energy transition matters please contact Mark or a member of the team.