AQO 3892/22-27 Oral question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline any action her Department is taking to ensure electricity grid capacity does not act as a barrier to economic investment.
Asked by David Honeyford MLA on 3 September 2026
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 3 September 2026
- Answer due by
- 14 September 2026
- Answered
- 14 September 202611 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 14 September 2026. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Dr Archibald
Ensuring that electricity grid capacity does not act as a barrier to economic investment is a priority for me and my Department. Through the grid development monitoring group, my Department brings together key stakeholders to drive progress on strategic transmission and distribution projects and to identify barriers to delivery. In addition, my Department is working closely with NIE Networks, the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and the Utility Regulator to support major network investment, including the £2·27 billion RP7 programme to increase network capacity and resilience. I have also introduced reforms to electricity connection charging arrangements, making it fairer and more affordable for homes and businesses to connect to the network. Together, those actions will help ensure that the electricity network can support business investment, economic growth and job creation across the North.
Mr Honeyford
Thank you, Minister, for your answer. ABO Energy is a major European renewables company with headquarters in my constituency of Lagan Valley. It has £1·1 billion of investment to come here but cannot realise it, half because of constraints on the grid. That is not just an energy problem; it is a problem for our economy. Does the Minister agree that it is one thing to have meetings and talk to all the stakeholders, but it is her Department's responsibility to produce a plan for moving forward that gives the outworking of how NIE Networks, SONI and the Utility Regulator will realise that, in much the same way as the Department for Infrastructure —
Madam Principal Deputy Speaker
OK. Thank you, David.
Mr Honeyford
— would do for roads?
Dr Archibald
I thank the Member for his question and for his considerable interest in energy policy, which I really do appreciate. We have discussed the issue on a number of occasions. Later in the year, I will publish the energy strategy policy statement, which will set out the key milestones for delivery to 2030. The statement will recognise that we need to be smarter and have a stronger and more flexible electricity grid for the exact reasons that the Member has laid out: supporting economic growth, attracting investment and increasing our renewable electricity generation. We will look at how the various pieces of work by the stakeholders across the energy system fit together, because alignment is important to achieve the outcomes that we are all collectively trying for.
Mr Kearney
Minister, businesses in rural areas already have to contend with many more obstacles than businesses in urban areas. How will you ensure that rural businesses specifically are not disadvantaged when seeking grid connections?
Dr Archibald
I thank the Member for his question. One of the key reasons why we took the decision that we did on connection charging policy was to address the unfairnesses in the existing system, particularly for rural businesses, which often faced much greater costs. Under the previous arrangements, customers in areas where the grid was weaker could face significantly higher costs where reinforcement of the wider network was required. The new arrangements that are now in place spread those costs more fairly across the customer base and make it easier and more affordable for homes and businesses, particularly in rural areas, to connect to the grid. They help remove that unfair geographic penalty and deliver greater fairness regardless of location. As I said, that is particularly important for making a more level playing field for rural businesses. We have had positive feedback, but obviously it takes time to see the impact of some of the changes. The investment by NIE Networks in the grid will play an important part in addressing some of the challenges that we face.
Mr Harvey
Minister, when do you intend to publish the long-duration energy storage policy?
Dr Archibald
I thank the Member for his question. We will publish the storage policy before the end of the year. I cannot give a firm date — I will check with officials — but it is being finalised, and we will publish it before the end of the calendar year.
Madam Principal Deputy Speaker
Doug Beattie is not in his place.