Business

2020 can be the year we make a climate change difference

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THE UK has set a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That ambitious target is a challenge to Northern Ireland, and requires a new dynamic locally if we are to play our part in reaching that target.

This year will undoubtedly be considered one of the most transformative years in the ongoing fight against climate change. 2019 saw the rise of Extinction Rebellion and a Swedish teen activist whose own climate strike inspired millions of young people around the globe to join in her protest against climate change.

Parliaments around the world reacted to different degrees with Westminster becoming the first, globally, to declare “an environmental and climate emergency”, followed shortly after by a similar declaration from Ireland’s Oireachtas. The UK Government led by becoming the first G7 state to actually legislate to set net zero as its greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050.

What of the devolved regions across the UK? The 2050 target was quickly adopted by the Welsh Assembly, while in Scotland they are aiming to get to zero emissions even sooner, by 2045. We know the reasons why Northern Ireland is the only devolved administration which does not have its own climate change legislation, but hopefully an end to the political stalemate is in sight.

It is the case that Northern Ireland has met its 40 per cent 2020 green energy target ahead of schedule, and according to the Department for the Economy, 44 per cent of all electricity consumed here in the 12 months to the end of June was from locally-sourced power across the region. Of that green generation, 85 per cent was from onshore wind turbines, including turbines at wind farms owned and operated by SSE Renewables.

While this is laudable, we also need to strive for more and agree new bold and decisive action that the climate crisis is demanding of everyone.

As a region Northern Ireland is moving into a policy vacuum when it comes to energy. In that context the news that the Department for the Economy is developing a new NI Energy Strategy to succeed the Strategic Energy Framework 2010-2020, and the recently launched call for evidence from stakeholders across Northern Ireland, is welcome

A new approach and a long-term strategic vision for the energy sector here which takes us to 2050 will remove the policy uncertainty of the last number of years. It will also send a clear signal to investors that Northern Ireland is open once again for new renewable technology and infrastructure investments.

Onshore wind energy represents a low-cost form of renewable energy that would represent good value for money for Northern Ireland consumers, and must be at the heart of any new energy policy.

Companies like SSE Renewables stand ready to play our part in delivering on new targets. That’s why we’re continuing to advance the potential for new wind energy generation here, including plans for a £150 million wind farm at Doraville in Co Tyrone, which could generate up to 118 MW of green electricity with the potential to power over 120,000 homes each year.

Progress has been made but more hard work needs to be done by everyone here in Northern Ireland, including policymakers, private businesses and individuals, to electrify our efforts to deliver the new ambitious energy strategy that Northern Ireland requires. In doing so, we can define our future glide path that will guide us, along with the rest of the UK, towards a 2050 net zero goal.

:: Paul Cooley is director of capital projects at SSE Renewables, the owner and operator of the largest renewable energy fleet in the UK and Ireland.