March 2022
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference focused on priorities for energy policy in Northern Ireland.
Areas for discussion included:
- decarbonisation - aims for decarbonising the energy sector by 2050
- the way forward - for the energy market and energy suppliers, looking at regulation, competition, reliability, and affordability
- challenges - around fuel poverty and security of supply
It was timed as an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to consider the aims and implementation of the new Northern Ireland Energy Strategy, following its publication by the Department for the Economy.
We expected discussion to bring out latest thinking on the Strategy’s key areas of focus, including:
- the energy system - setting achievable decarbonisation targets, a just transition in NI, and an optimal energy mix to serve demands in electricity, heat, and transport
- futureproofing - priorities for infrastructure development and demand-side management to meet challenges of changing consumer behaviour and long-term pressures on the energy system
Overall, the agenda looked at:
- implementing the new Northern Ireland Energy Strategy, key issues for delivery, and the 2050 vision
- decarbonisation, the transformation of the energy grid, and new climate change legislation
- next steps for the NI energy market, regulatory challenges, competitiveness, and sustainability
- the future for energy infrastructure in Northern Ireland and security of supply
- ensuring quality and affordable service for customers and developing a modern regulatory framework
We were pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Richard Rogers, Head of Energy, Department for the Economy; John French, Chief Executive, Utility Regulator; and Professor John Barry, Professor of Green Political Economy and Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action, Queens University Belfast.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from: DAERA; the Department for Communities; the Department for the Economy; Department for Infrastructure; Department of Finance; Geological Survey of Northern Ireland; NI Assembly; NIAO; the NIEA; Defra; Casework and Appraisal Branch; the CCC; Department of Environment, Climate & Communications, ROI; BEIS; and the DfE.
