Northern Ireland is on course to meet 40% renewable target

Northern Ireland is set to hit its renewable energy target of 40% next year, according to new figures.

New statistics from the latest Renewable Energy Sources for Electricity report reveal that 38% of Northern Ireland's electricity is currently being generated from renewable energy sources. This is expected to rise to 40% or higher by next year, smashing the region's 2020 renewable energy target. 

Predictions from NIE Networks also indicate that around 110,000 electric vehicles are expected to enter general use here by 2030 as the technology matures and adoption rates increase.

This year's 38% figure is a significant increase over 2017's 34.8% renewable energy figures, which bodes well for the future of renewable energy in Northern Ireland. Most of the renewable energy generated in Northern Ireland comes from wind (over 80%), with a significant amount also coming from ground source or air source heat pumps.

This milestone is extremely important for the continued decarbonisation of our electricity grid, but more still needs to be done to reduce the country's, reliance on fossil fuels and its carbon footprint. NIE managing director Paul Stapleton, commented on the achievement, saying: "Carbon reduction targets, renewable energy, electric vehicles and heat pumps are placing new and increased demands on our network so at such a critical time for the energy industry it is very encouraging that we are on course to meet the RES-E target."

Source: Belfast Telegraph