Under the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 an ambitious target was set – 80% of electricity must come from renewable sources by 2030 (80 by 30). Achieving this isn’t just about sustainability – it’s about lowering energy costs and ensuring energy independence. We are however falling behind. In 2022, renewables supplied 51% of Northern Ireland’s electricity. In 2024, that fell to 43.5%. This is not because of a lack of ambition, but because key infrastructure projects are stuck in limbo.
Due to the way energy markets are structured, the price of gas sets the price for the entire market. In Ireland’s Single Electricity Market, the cost of the last unit of electricity needed to meet demand – often generated by gas plants – determines the overall price for all electricity. Each percentage point of renewables lost means more gas is being burned, driving up costs for consumers.
Without urgent action, we risk missing our targets meaning we burn more fossil fuels, lose out to jurisdictions that are more attractive for investment, and force consumers to pay higher energy bills.
Delays are stalling progress
Renewable generators need a modern, reliable grid, but key projects like the long awaited second North–South Interconnector, Mid Antrim Upgrade and Mid Tyrone Project are years behind schedule. Without these projects, the grid can’t handle the clean electricity already being produced, forcing generators to shut down in a process called ‘dispatch down’. This wastes cheap, renewable power and increases reliance on fossil fuels. This is often due to network constraints, particularly in wind–rich areas like the northwest, preventing electricity travelling from generation points to demand centres where it is needed.
The second North–South Interconnector is the most important project we have in our arsenal to reduce unnecessary levels of dispatch down in Northern Ireland. The issue is complex, but in simple terms, Northern Ireland has been a net importer of electricity through the Moyle Interconnector, which links the electricity transmission grids of Northern Ireland and Scotland, for nearly two years. Demand for electricity is higher in the south, while the existing North–South Interconnector is already at full capacity, unable to accommodate additional flows. If electricity from generators in the north can be transferred south via the second North–South Interconnector, it would free up capacity in the northern grid, allowing wind farms to operate more frequently instead of being shut down due to network constraints. This would also reduce the reliance on gas–fired power plants, as more renewable energy would be integrated into the system, helping lower both carbon emissions and costs.
Since its planning application was first lodged in 2009, the North–South Interconnector has been plagued by challenges and what seem like perpetual delays. In 2017, the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) endorsed the project’s strategic importance, and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) granted full planning permission in 2018. However, legal challenges from landowners led to the quashing of these approvals in 2019, with the DfI Permanent Secretary deciding not to defend the case. In 2020, the then Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon re-granted planning permission, and the High Court upheld the decision in 2021 after another legal challenge. With planning in place, the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) then announced construction would begin in 2024, aiming for completion by 2026, but SONI’s 2023–2032 Transmission Development Plan (TDP) pushed this back to late 2027. EirGrid’s latest update has delayed the energisation date further to October 2031.
A high cost for consumers
While SONI and Northern Ireland Electricity Networks were seemingly still on track to complete the Northern Ireland portion by 2027, the project cannot be fully realised until the southern section is completed. With EirGrid now delaying completion to 2031, Northern Ireland is at the mercy of further delays in the Republic of Ireland. This negatively impacts the renewable industry in Northern Ireland while also jeopardising our renewable electricity targets and has serious consequences for bill payers. SONI estimates that the absence of the second interconnector is costing consumers £55,000 per day. Delays like these are particularly damaging, given that the Renewable Rewards report found that achieving the 80 by 30 target could save Northern Ireland consumers £110 million per year.
These delays mean the North–South Interconnector will have taken over two decades to deliver.
While new infrastructure delays are a major issue, there are also significant concerns about grid improvements, particularly delivery of Associated Transmission Reinforcements (ATRs). ATRs are essential upgrades to the electricity transmission network needed to support new generation projects and ensure the grid can accommodate additional power and maintain reliability.
Progress on ATRs has been disappointing, with six key enabler projects for achieving 80 by 30 facing continuous delays. Currently, only two of the six new–build projects deemed essential for 2030 are on track for completion before the decade’s end. While SONI’s latest TDP provides delivery dates for all six projects, EirGrid’s recent update has pushed the North South Interconnector back to 2031. Alarmingly, four of these projects are now scheduled for delivery beyond 2030, which, unless accelerated, effectively eliminates the possibility of reaching the 80 by 30 target.
On 31 March 2025, the Department for the Economy (DfE) published its Energy Strategy Action Plan for 2025, which includes a commitment to establish a Grid Development Monitoring Group to ensure grid development projects align with the 2030 target. This is a welcome development, particularly in light of persistent delays. However, monitoring alone is not enough. Every lost megawatt hinders progress toward our climate goals and keeps bills higher than they would be.
Beyond monitoring, we need a clear plan to accelerate delivery of the second North–South Interconnector through cross–border collaboration, along with fast–tracked ATR upgrades.
The consequences
Delays are impacting both consumers and the broader economy:
Higher bills: When renewable electricity is unavailable, gas–fired plants fill the gap, raising costs.
Lost investment: Developers are reluctant to invest here when infrastructure delays hinder their ability to export power, meaning fewer new projects and lost economic opportunities.
Weakening the energy transition: Prolonged delays put the 2030 target at risk, increasing reliance on imported fossil fuels.
The policy gap
Slow delivery of infrastructure is the main problem, but it isn’t the only one. The impacts of infrastructure delays are compounded by the absence of a Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) strategy – batteries, in other words – which are critical for making the most of our renewable resources. Without LDES, surplus wind and solar power goes to waste instead of being stored for when it’s needed most.
While the DfE’s Energy Strategy Action Plan for 2025 outlines steps to improve grid development, it makes no mention of an LDES strategy. This omission is a major gap, given that energy storage will be essential as more renewables come onto the system. A clear roadmap for storage deployment is needed to complement infrastructure upgrades and ensure that Northern Ireland can maximise its renewable energy potential.
DfE must urgently publish a roadmap for storage deployment and ensure it aligns with its own timelines for grid development.
What’s the solution?
Delays to grid infrastructure and the lack of a storage strategy are political choices, not technical inevitabilities. To get back on track, we must:
Accelerate key grid projects: Every month of delay adds to consumer bills and emissions.
Deliver a storage strategy: LDES is vital for maximising renewables and reducing waste.
Enforce accountability: The Grid Development Monitoring Group must ensure projects stay on track and hold decision–makers accountable for missed deadlines.
Northern Ireland’s renewable future is within reach, but only if the Executive acts now. We must strive to decarbonise the power sector at a pace commensurate with the climate crisis. Every day of delay costs consumers money, weakens our energy security, and puts our climate commitments at risk. Policymakers on both sides of the border must act now to unlock Northern Ireland’s, and the whole island’s, renewable future.
It’s time to get these projects moving!
Shane Corcoran is a Policy Analyst at RenewableNI, specialising in grid infrastructure and electricity markets.
