Northern Ireland on track to meet energy targets

The government in Northern Ireland is aiming for 12% of the country’s electricity to come from indigenous sources by 2012, with much of this produced using renewable sources.

Currently, just 5% of the country’s electricity comes from renewable sources. However, the government hopes that this figure will eventually rise to over 40%, with wind power being the cheapest and most effective option.

Nigel Dodds, Northern Ireland’s minister for enterprise, trade and investment, has said that Northern Ireland is currently “on track” to meet its targets for renewable energy use. He added that wind power is integral to the country reaching its target, because it’s “the cheapest and most readily available source of renewable energy here.”

Dodds also believe that the creation of the Single Electricity Market (SEM) between Ireland, France and Britain will be beneficial for Northern Ireland. He said: “Creating the SEM is a major step forward in building a robust energy infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

“It will also help to protect the interests of consumers by promoting greater competition, while also securing a diverse, viable and environmentally sustainable long term energy supply.”