Northern Ireland Renewable Electricity Falls Second Year Below 50% Amid Energy Transition Challenges

Northern Ireland's renewable electricity generation has declined for a second consecutive year, dropping to 43.5% in 2024 due to factors like renewable intermittency and increased 'dispatch down' caused by grid capacity constraints and higher imports from Scotland. RenewableNI highlights the need to accelerate energy storage deployment and finalize the Department for the Economy's renewable support scheme to reverse this trend and meet the 2030 legal obligation of 80% renewable electricity. Progress in policy is anticipated, including a new renewable electricity support scheme expected by late 2026 and revisions to planning policies to remove barriers that have stalled renewable projects. Meanwhile, the Great British Energy Bill raises concerns about Northern Ireland's influence over green hydrogen investment, crucial for its decarbonization, especially regarding offshore seabed development. The energy transition is shifting Northern Ireland's electricity system from centralized to distributed generation, requiring digitalization and collaboration among stakeholders to enhance flexibility, investment, and consumer engagement, with NIE Networks positioned to lead this effort. Firms like firmus energy networks mark two decades of infrastructure growth, contributing to lower emissions and supporting the move toward a greener economy.