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Committees

Electricity sector in Northern Ireland inquiry

Inquiry

Northern Ireland could face further rises in energy bills if action is not taken to prevent a deficit in electricity supply, finds a report by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Without urgent investment in Northern Ireland's energy infrastructure, the industry is not confident it will be able to keep the lights on after 2021.

Northern Ireland's electricity sector faces a number of challenges in the coming years. It has an ambitious target to achieve 40 per cent renewables by 2020, against a backdrop of reductions in the subsidies for onshore wind.

There are concerns regarding security of supply in the coming years because of constraints on the interconnectors with the GB and Republic of Ireland markets, and implementation of the EU Emissions Directive. And there are long-standing concerns over the cost of electricity, and the impact this has on both domestic and business consumers.

Responding to these challenges within the context of trying to make UK policy work in an all-island market places Northern Ireland in a unique position.