Net zero: MPs cast doubt on Stormont meeting climate target

MPs have cast doubt on the ability of the Northern Ireland Executive to hit its ambitious renewable energy and net zero targets.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said there is currently inadequate infrastructure to support energy transition, external, an unsupportive policy environment and a lack of consumer awareness.

The executive’s aims are for Northern Ireland to generate 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

The committee said recent data suggests neither target is on course to be hit.

It held three formal oral evidence sessions as well as considering written submissions.

The committee chairman, Sir Robert Buckland, said the evidence had “coalesced around three key barriers to NI achieving its net zero goals”.

Those were infrastructure, policy and consumer awareness.

The key infrastructure issue was that the electricity grid currently lacks the capacity to “support a full transition to renewable electricity.”

NIE Networks, which owns the grid, is planning to invest over £3bn in the next decade which will mean an additional cost to customers of about £10 to £20 a year.