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18/02/2025
SONI Launches New Strategy To Support NI's Energy Transition
Northern Ireland's electricity Transmission System Operator, System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI), has unveiled a new multi-year strategy aimed at supporting the region's energy transition.
The SONI Strategy 2025-2031 focuses on the grid operator's role in advising and partnering with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Utility Regulator to shape energy policy.
As SONI does not generate or sell electricity or own infrastructure assets, it has committed to being a trusted advisor to government and regulatory bodies. The new strategy outlines its purpose as "meeting Northern Ireland's energy needs, today and in the future."
Four key strategic ambitions have been identified as central to SONI’s role as the Transmission System Operator:
Grid Operation: Ensuring the grid operates safely, securely, and reliably, enabling power to flow from generation sites to homes, businesses, farms, and public services. The strategy also highlights the adoption of new technologies to integrate increasing amounts of renewable electricity into the grid.
Advisory Role: Providing expertise and data to the government and regulators on electricity systems and markets, helping to guide informed decision-making.
Future Planning: Using evidence-based scenarios and forecasting research to plan the optimal design of the electricity system and markets for the future.
Infrastructure Transformation: Collaborating with NIE Networks to deliver key projects that will modernise grid infrastructure and support Northern Ireland’s energy goals.
The strategy also outlines a shift towards a more 'Plan-led' approach to grid development, aimed at accelerating progress and reducing barriers to achieving the region's renewable energy objectives, all while protecting consumers from unnecessary costs.
SONI Chief Executive, Alan Campbell, said: "At SONI, we have the important dual responsibility of meeting Northern Ireland’s electricity needs today, and in the future. Northern Ireland’s energy transition is a once-in-a-generation transformation that will bring huge benefits for our society, economy and environment.
"Meeting this collective ambition requires a transformation of the power system at an unprecedented level of scale, pace and complexity. Our expertise, experience and independence as the System Operator means we can play a proactive role and act as a trusted adviser in the delivery of this crucial mission.
"At the beginning of this exciting new chapter as Northern Ireland's electricity Transmission System Operator, our Strategy 2025-2031 defines a fresh, new purpose and sets a clear direction for how we intend to step up and support government, regulators and industry to ensure we collectively realise our ambition of a cleaner, more secure energy future."
The SONI Strategy 2025-2031 focuses on the grid operator's role in advising and partnering with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Utility Regulator to shape energy policy.
As SONI does not generate or sell electricity or own infrastructure assets, it has committed to being a trusted advisor to government and regulatory bodies. The new strategy outlines its purpose as "meeting Northern Ireland's energy needs, today and in the future."
Four key strategic ambitions have been identified as central to SONI’s role as the Transmission System Operator:
Grid Operation: Ensuring the grid operates safely, securely, and reliably, enabling power to flow from generation sites to homes, businesses, farms, and public services. The strategy also highlights the adoption of new technologies to integrate increasing amounts of renewable electricity into the grid.
Advisory Role: Providing expertise and data to the government and regulators on electricity systems and markets, helping to guide informed decision-making.
Future Planning: Using evidence-based scenarios and forecasting research to plan the optimal design of the electricity system and markets for the future.
The strategy also outlines a shift towards a more 'Plan-led' approach to grid development, aimed at accelerating progress and reducing barriers to achieving the region's renewable energy objectives, all while protecting consumers from unnecessary costs.
SONI Chief Executive, Alan Campbell, said: "At SONI, we have the important dual responsibility of meeting Northern Ireland’s electricity needs today, and in the future. Northern Ireland’s energy transition is a once-in-a-generation transformation that will bring huge benefits for our society, economy and environment.
"Meeting this collective ambition requires a transformation of the power system at an unprecedented level of scale, pace and complexity. Our expertise, experience and independence as the System Operator means we can play a proactive role and act as a trusted adviser in the delivery of this crucial mission.
"At the beginning of this exciting new chapter as Northern Ireland's electricity Transmission System Operator, our Strategy 2025-2031 defines a fresh, new purpose and sets a clear direction for how we intend to step up and support government, regulators and industry to ensure we collectively realise our ambition of a cleaner, more secure energy future."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
