To ask the Minister for the Economy whether there are any circumstances in Northern Ireland that would mean the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme should start at a different level from the 0.5 megawatts as used in the equivalent scheme in the Republic of Ireland.

Collaboration with wider stakeholders, including industry representatives, has been integral to the development of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. In particular, the lower capacity threshold for inclusion in the scheme will be tailored to suit the unique requirements of the power market in the north of Ireland.

My Department is assessing the impact of the north’s existing large fleet of distributed generation and the contracts and security of supply risk for delivery partners posed by the management of numerous small generators.

I recognise the ongoing contribution of distributed renewable electricity projects in the north, and options for a viable route to market continue to be assessed by my Department.