Northern Ireland smashes 40 per cent renewable electricity target

Ireland’s leading renewable energy group, the Irish Wind Energy Association, has welcomed today’s announcement that 44 per cent of Northern Ireland’s electricity came from renewables between July 2018 and June 2019.

This is the first time the 40 per cent target has been achieved in Ireland over a full year and wind energy led the way, providing more than 85 per cent of all renewable electricity.

Dr David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and a real sign of the progress we are making in cutting CO₂ emissions in the energy sector.

“But it should encourage us to greater efforts. Unlike Northern Ireland it looks like we will just fall short of our 40 per cent target and there are growing concerns about delays in finalising the Government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).

“We need this as soon as possible to provide the support that will enable the next generation of renewable electricity – on and offshore wind, solar and other technologies – to achieve Minister Bruton’s target of 70 per cent renewable electricity by 2030.”

The figures were announced this morning by the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.