£3billion investment in electricity network will facilitate NI’s net zero carbon future and create over 1,000 new jobs
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At a recent business briefing, stakeholders heard that this is the minimum level of investment required in the electricity network to meet Northern Ireland’s climate change commitments.
NIE Networks managing director, Derek Hynes, said: “A significant step change is needed in the level of investment required during the next 10 years and beyond to facilitate the scale of decarbonisation mandated in the Northern Ireland climate change legislation.
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Hide Ad“These are investments that will provide increased network capacity to enable our customers to connect to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps.
“We will also need to invest to provide the network capacity needed to meet government targets for a greater proportion of electricity to consistently and reliably come from renewable sources.”
According to NIE Networks, the investment will not only deliver an electricity network fit to facilitate net zero, but will create greater prosperity in Northern Ireland. It will provide training and long-term careers through apprenticeship opportunities, as well as encouraging talent that has moved away to return to Northern Ireland through the offer of highly skilled and globally competitive jobs.
Mr Hynes continued: “We believe that we will need to create 1,000 new jobs, including 400 apprenticeships in NIE Networks and up to 500 new jobs in our contractors and support partners, between now and 2030. This level of investment will also attract additional inward investment into Northern Ireland, alongside encouraging new businesses to come here and existing businesses to grow.”
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Hide AdDetails of the investment are set out in NIE Networks Business Plan, which has been finalised following a consultation period last year.
“We have listened extensively to our customers and stakeholders in shaping and refining our Business Plan,” Mr Hynes continued.
“They have clearly told us to ensure that the network has sufficient capacity to allow for greater electrification, is reliable enough to maintain confidence that homes and businesses will have electricity when they need it, and to make sure that all new and existing customers can get the connections they need to the network quickly and cost effectively.”
Deemed critical to delivering the changes needed on the electricity network to facilitate the decarbonisation goals set out in the Department for the Economy’s Energy Strategy, NIE Networks’ proposed plan is intended to deliver transformational impact for its 910,000 customers across Northern Ireland.
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Hide AdMr Hynes explained: “Our plan is designed to improve reliability, support the most vulnerable, cut carbon, as well as creating hundreds of jobs and supply chain opportunities across Northern Ireland. But it is important we are transparent with our customers and this investment requires an anticipated increase in network charges of around £10.00 per year for the average domestic customer. It is critical though that we invest now to avoid higher costs in the future.”
The investment announcement was welcomed by Martin Doherty, centre manager of the Centre of Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), who added: “Northern Ireland has set ambitious targets to combat climate change, and these simply cannot be met without a major investment in our energy infrastructure.”