There is a “huge economic opportunity” to be grasped as Northern Ireland strives to reach net zero. That was the message at today’s Northern Ireland Energy Summit, attended by 400 leaders from across the energy industry.
Taking place at the ICC Belfast, the Northern Ireland Energy Summit was led by the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), in partnership with corporate law firm A&L Goodbody, NIE Networks, SONI and Transmission Investment.
Delegates heard from a range international and local keynote speakers including Joe Kennedy III, U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland; Scott Woodard, Director of Energy Transformation at the U.S. State Department; Dr Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service; Dr Xavier Garcia Casals of the International Renewable Energy Agency; and Kersti Berge, Director of Energy & Climate Change at the Scottish Government.
Background
Northern Ireland has committed to providing 80% of all its power from renewable sources by 2030, and reaching net zero by 2050.
As we grapple with the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead, the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) launched the Northern Ireland Energy Summit. The event brought both global and local renewable energy expertise together to discuss and find workable answers to the important energy questions facing our society.
The Summit heard from acclaimed local and international speakers and explored how we can maximise investment, improve collaboration and change how we do things in order to achieve our renewable energy goals.
This event, which was organised in co-operation with the Department of the Economy, saw the publication of ‘Investing in our Renewable Future’, a document produced by CASE which was shared with delegates for discussion and then submitted to the Northern Ireland government for consideration.
‘Investing in our Renewable Future’ seeks to enhance collaboration across our society to present new, realistic, and comprehensive plans for meeting our renewables targets. It shows how investment in our land, our people and our businesses can lead to the renewable future we all want to see.
The Northern Ireland Energy Summit addressed seemingly intractable issues like:
- Ensuring security of supply whilst transforming our energy infrastructure.
- Maximising local and international investment to ensure that people and communities benefit from the economic opportunities which the transition to renewable energy offers.
- Enhancing collaboration between government and the private sector to deliver the renewable energy future.
- Reforming our planning system to ensure we can deliver the infrastructure required for net zero.
- Working with local communities to ensure that the public accept significant increases in renewable energy production on their doorsteps