The Future of Energy in Northern Ireland.
Written by Symon Ross, Director
Temperatures are dropping, the winter fuel allowance (or lack thereof) has been the Starmer Government’s first big hiccup, and it won’t be long before energy prices are back in the headlines again.
It’s a familiar seasonal story, and rightly so. Energy security, and the transition to renewable energy sources needed to support it, continues to be one of the biggest issues facing governments around the world. And Northern Ireland is no exception.
Traditionally an importer of fossil fuels to power its homes, the Department for the Economy has made reaching net zero by 2050 one of its four strategic priorities to drive future prosperity.
A bold ambition, we thought it would be interesting to see if the people of Northern Ireland shared it. What we uncovered was really interesting . . .
We asked 1,000 people from across the region about their views on how NI’s future energy needs should be met and what we found was a broad scepticism that the ambitious net zero targets will be reached. But their appetite for low carbon energy is healthy.
Our respondents were overwhelmingly in favour of new solar, wind and tidal power projects being developed in their local area – with 93% of people supportive of solar farms and 81% backing onshore wind. There was far lower support for nuclear and for lesser-known low carbon energy sources such as hydrogen, battery storage and biomass.
But while people showed strong support for an energy transition to more renewable sources, paying for it is a different story. Almost half (47%) said they only want net zero policies to be pursued if it doesn’t come at a personal cost to them.
We all know there are multiple barriers facing new renewables projects. Lack of financial incentives, frustrations with the planning system, insufficient investment in the grid, and opposition from vocal coalitions of NIMBY residents, landowners or politicians to name but a few.
But what our report demonstrates is huge public backing in Northern Ireland to deliver new renewable energy projects across the region. What the sector now needs to demonstrate are the benefits and the economic case for doing so.
You can access the full report here.
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With an increasing number of people turning to social media for their news, is there still a place for traditional newspapers?
Verity Barr.
Director, Corporate Communications
Absolutely, but their role is shifting. Increasingly the home of long-form, investigative journalism, the weekend papers in particular have broken some of the biggest stories of the past few years.
Their journalists search for the truth, aren’t afraid to challenge and are critical in holding those in positions of power to account. But they do this within the boundaries of a code of conduct that means their readers can trust what’s written – and that’s why we can’t afford to lose them.
Chris Lee.
Head of Media Strategy
One hundred per cent. Professional journalists are more fundamental than ever, acting as the custodians of accurate information and holding political leaders accountable, especially in a time when misinformation and “fake news” seem to be everywhere.
The lobby journalists who live and breathe Westminster politics are still driving the news agenda in a big way, especially with politics having been such a major part of the news discourse over the last decade. Also, let’s not forget, when you turn on broadcast news or listen to a current affairs podcast, those producers will always look to the newspapers to set the agenda.