The Public Accounts Committee has raised concerns about Northern Ireland’s progress toward meeting energy strategy targets established for 2030, according to a report examining the Department for the Economy’s implementation efforts.
The committee heard testimony indicating that policy uncertainty and unclear delivery timescales are influencing investment decisions in the energy sector. Business and industry representatives expressed concern that capital may be redirected to Great Britain, Ireland, and other European markets where conditions appear more stable. The PAC characterized delays affecting energy projects as unacceptable, given their potential to support economic development, employment, and energy security across the region.
The underlying strategy, published in 2021, envisions full decarbonization by 2050 and aims to source at least 80 percent of electricity from renewable energy. Committee chair Daniel McCrossan emphasized the government’s obligation to establish conditions conducive to investment, warning that failure to do so risks opportunities moving elsewhere. Despite the department’s wide consultation during strategy development, the PAC identified significant implementation weaknesses.
The committee noted that approximately £124m in public funding has been allocated to energy-related programs since 2020. The PAC has issued 11 recommendations, including publication and regular updates of an Energy Policy Statement and development of funded plans addressing grid infrastructure and energy storage challenges. Deputy chair Tom Buchanan stressed the importance of the coming four years, calling for decisive action and stronger oversight to deliver results.
While the department expressed confidence in achieving the strategy’s £2bn green economy target, committee members emphasized the necessity of converting strategic ambitions into concrete outcomes to secure the investments and employment opportunities central to Northern Ireland’s net zero transition.
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