On 16 December 2021, Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons launched ‘The Path to Net Zero Energy’ – setting three targets in energy efficiency, renewables and green economy.
Stew Horne, head of policy at Energy Saving Trust, commented: “We welcome the publication of the Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland – ‘Path to Net Zero Energy’. We are pleased that the strategy goes further than expected on energy efficiency, heat decarbonisation and renewable electricity. It makes an important commitment to making energy more affordable as the UK transitions to a low carbon society.
“We support the strategy’s focus on heat pumps as a low carbon technology vital to the decarbonisation of heating in homes.
“Another key commitment is the planned pilot of a significant domestic retrofit scheme. This will take the specific requirements of heat pumps into account, supported by a dedicated one-stop-shop advice and support service and information and awareness raising campaigns. These measures will help to achieve the target of 25% energy savings from buildings and industry in Northern Ireland by 2030.
“We look forward to responding to the Decarbonising Heat Consultation and contributing to the development of the one-stop-shop.
“We hope to see further details of transport policies as part of the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan and Local Transport Strategy next year, particularly on commitments to the transport hierarchy, reducing the number of miles driven and developing low carbon transport businesses in Northern Ireland.”
Our work in Northern Ireland
Energy Saving Trust is the programme administrator — on behalf of the Utility Regulator — of the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme. (NISEP). The aim is to help householders improve the efficiency of their homes. People on low incomes can access grants to help insulate their homes better, install energy efficient boilers, and more. Funding comes from an 80% share of a special levy on every household’s energy bills.