HALF a billion pounds of investment needs to be ploughed into the grid to deliver most radical change to the power system since rural electrification, according to SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland).
The independent electricity transmission operator was revealing key points from its new five-year strategy aimed at transforming the north’s power system for the next generation (the paper will be formally unveiled at next month's Agenda NI Energy Forum).
SONI says its ambitious strategy will ensure that Northern Ireland’s grid can handle 95 per cent renewable energy at any one time - a significant increase from the current figure of 65 per cent.
But key to the new strategy is upgrading the system so that it can handle these world-leading levels of renewable energy, supplied through a combination of wind and solar energy.
SONI's recently-appointed managing director Jo Aston said: “This strategy is a direct response to the climate crisis and the UK government’s commitment to zero net carbon emissions by 2050.
“Its focus is on ensuring we have a green energy system ready to handle significantly increasing amounts of renewable energy, and we plan to be that beacon for decarbonisation.
“Leading, shaping and informing the energy transition is our priority, but to do this we must innovate for the next generation while ensuring today’s electricity users have a reliable, secure and cost-effective supply.”
Ms Aston added: “Homes and businesses cannot ‘go green’ without the transformation of the electricity system. The next 10 years will see the most radical transformation of the system since rural electrification.
“It will allow people who want to make a change to have access to the clean energy they need. We will develop the infrastructure and operational requirements to facilitate this shift.”
Noel Lavery, permanent secretary at the Department for the Economy, said: “SONI’s investment in innovative engineering solutions has provided the backbone to bring as much wind energy as possible on to the system in Northern Ireland and help us reach the figure of 44 per cent of local electricity being consumed from renewable sources.”
