Committee publishes report on Energy Inquiry

The Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment of the Northern Ireland Assembly published its Energy Inquiry Report on Tuesday March 5.

During this inquiry the Committee explored a variety of means and methods by which the cost of generating electricity can be reduced and the various issues related to the burning of all types of fuels at power stations.

Chairperson Pat Doherty said: "When we set out on this Inquiry we did not anticipate the sheer magnitude of the task we had taken on. This was a lengthy and wide ranging inquiry. The Committee received 32 written submissions and heard 29 oral submissions from a variety of firms, agencies, voluntary groups and individuals."

The Committee will await the outcome of the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s consultation paper, titled ‘Towards a New Energy Market Strategy for Northern Ireland’, before arriving at any conclusions on the different options which could be employed to reduce high electricity prices in Northern Ireland.

Deputy Chairperson Sean Neeson said: "The Committee wants the best outcome for consumers and urges the Minister to ensure that all different options are vigorously examined and subject to full and open appraisals."

In a statement issued shortly after the report's publication Harry McCracken, Managing Director of Northern Ireland Electricity said: “Northern Ireland Electricity welcomes publication of the report and the following Assembly debate.

“While we have still to study the ETI Committee’s Energy Enquiry Report in detail the committee should be commended for the work it has done to address the many complex issues involved. Inevitably, with such a wide range of inputs and often competing points of view to examine, it is not an easy matter to establish all the facts."

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said: “An efficient, competitively priced and environmentally sustainable energy industry is an essential prerequisite of a forward looking economy.”

Thanking the Committee for its work on the Report, the Minister said: “The report itself, and the views of this Assembly, are further important contributions to a process aimed at developing the Northern Ireland energy sector in the best interests of all our people.

“I will now reflect further on the report, seek the views of my Ministerial colleagues and prepare my formal response. I feel that it would be sensible if I took the additional time to incorporate into my response, where appropriate, the responses to the Department’s energy strategy consultation paper due to issue in the next few days.”

(GB)