To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on her Department’s progress on the development of a policy framework for long-duration energy storage.

One of my priorities is to reduce carbon emissions and generating sufficient renewable electricity is key to facilitate this change. It is important to build on our previous success in renewables development and the Executive needs to take a collaborative, whole system approach to deliver the 80% by 2030 target.

I recognise the important role that long duration energy storage will play in decarbonising the electricity grid, in particular its ability to utilise excess renewable electricity and export power back to the grid at times of high demand. The Department has commissioned research on interconnection and energy storage here. This research will include analysis on the effect of energy storage on the cost to local consumers, security of supply and decarbonisation, and help inform policy development on both short and long duration energy storage. The Department aims to complete policy development in 2026.