Northern Ireland electricity sector examined
14 March 2018
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee follows up on work undertaken in the last Parliament examining the electricity sector in Northern Ireland. The Committee hears from energy company AES, grid operator SONI, the Utility Regulator and elected representatives of areas affected by plant closures in Northern Ireland.
- Watch Parliament TV: Electricity sector in Northern Ireland: follow-up
- Inquiry: Electricity sector in Northern Ireland: follow-up
- Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Witnesses
Wednesday 14 March in Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster
At 9.30am
- Jo Aston, Director of Wholesale Markets, Utility Regulator
- Ian Luney, President, AES UK & Ireland
- Robin McCormick, General Manager, SONI Ltd
- Jenny Pyper, Chief Executive, Utility Regulator
At 10.30am
- Cllr Paul Reid, Mayor, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
- Anne Donaghy, Chief Executive, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
- Louise Kennedy, Head of Policy, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Previous inquiry
In 2017, the predecessor committee published a report highlighting the looming threat of a deficit in electricity supply in Northern Ireland. It identified the North-South Interconnector as vital for ensuring an affordable, sustainable power supply and called on the Government to do more to protect the interests of consumers.
Purpose of the session
The session will investigate recent developments - such as the reasons behind the closure of powerplants at Kilroot and Ballylumford and progress in developing the North-South Interconnector - which have taken place since its previous inquiry.
The Committee will also consider the impact of leaving the EU and the failure to restore the Executive on energy strategy, and look at what future opportunities there are to grow the sector in Northern Ireland.
Further information
Image: iStockphoto