Northern Ireland renewable energy 'a key concern

Writing on eGovmonitor, Arlene Foster said the renewable energy agenda is increasing momentum in the province, with there being a steady rise in investment in the technology.

Northern Ireland has relied primarily on wind energy to meet our renewable targets

Arlene Foster

Minister

Due to this, Ms Foster claimed the area is on track to meet the target of generating 12 per cent of its electricity needs from domestic sources, while the province is building its power infrastructure with the proposed European Renewable Energy Directive in mind.

"Northern Ireland has relied primarily on wind energy to meet our renewable targets and, while building significantly on this, we must look further into the future to optimise the use of other renewable resources and technologies," she wrote on the website.

The Minister cited an Electrical Grid Study, carried out earlier this year, which suggested Northern Ireland, along with the Republic of Ireland, can produce as much as 42 per cent renewable energy if necessary improvements are made to infrastructure.

Ms Foster also revealed that energy security is another reason behind the adoption of renewable energy sources, as the region currently meets 98 per cent of its need with imported fossil fuels.

Earlier this month, the minister announced £4.9million in funding for the Carbon Trust, to be used to help firms in Northern Ireland cut their energy costs, reduce carbon emissions and adopt low-carbon technologies.