Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Strategic Energy Framework

Oral Questions in the Assembly regarding the SEF

AQW 466/11

Mr Alastair Ross (DUP - East Antrim) To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment when she expects the Strategic Energy Framework to be published.

20/09/2010

I am pleased to advise that the Strategic Energy Framework (SEF), which was approved by the Executive earlier this month, has been published today, 27th September 2010. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Assembly library and the document is also available to download from the Department’s website http://www.detini.gov.uk/deti-energy-index.htm

AQW 352/11

Dr Stephen Farry (ALL - North Down) To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to outline the reasons for the delay in the completion and publication of the Strategic Energy Framework.

14/09/2010

I would contest that there has been a delay in the completion and publication of the Strategic Energy Framework (SEF) which, as you will be now be aware, was published on 27th September 2010.

With the launch of its pre-consultation scoping document in November 2008, DETI began a process aimed at identifying and securing consensus on the strategic energy priorities for Northern Ireland over the next ten years and beyond. Feedback from the scoping paper and a number of energy workshops helped inform, develop and shape a revised Strategic Energy Framework which was put out to full public consultation until September 2009.

Some 70 responses were subsequently received and, following a detailed analysis by my officials, an overview of the key messages emanating from the public consultation was provided to the ETI Committee in January 2010.

A final draft SEF was then prepared and circulated to Executive colleagues for consideration in June. Immediately following the summer recess, the Executive considered and approved the Framework at its meeting on 9 September. Upon receipt of the Executive’s endorsement my officials proceeded with the necessary arrangements for final publication.

AQW 8004/10

Mr Paul Butler (SF - Lagan Valley) To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on her Department's discussions with the Small Wind Energy Group in relation to the Strategic Energy Framework policy.

23/06/2010

There have been no discussions with the Small Wind Energy Group (SWEG) in relation to the Strategic Energy Framework. In fulfilment of my commitment given to the Assembly at its debate on the Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010, discussions have taken place regarding SWEG’s concerns that existing renewable electricity generators accredited under the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation before 1 April 2010 do not benefit from the increased Renewables Obligation Certificates introduced for new generators accredited from this date.

AQO 741/10

Mr David McNarry (UUP - Strangford) To ask the Minister for Social Development what discussions she has had with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment concerning fuel poverty and the Strategic Energy Framework.

28/01/2010

Fuel poverty is affected by three factors: incomes, energy prices and energy efficiency. It is an issue that cuts across a number of government departments and to date, improving energy efficiency has been at the heart of Government’s Fuel Poverty Strategy in Northern Ireland.

Prior to the publication of the Strategic Energy Framework, Minister Foster circulated an Executive paper to Ministerial colleagues to which I responded. In addition, my officials have been working closely with colleagues in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment through the Inter Departmental Group on Fuel Poverty and the Sustainable Energy Inter Departmental Working Group. Also, as part of the Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy, my officials met with colleagues in Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and I believe it is crucial that departments continue to work together to tackle fuel poverty. This approach will be reflected in the new fuel poverty strategy.

AQO 131/10

Mr George Savage (UUP - Upper Bann) To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions she has had with the Minister of Finance and Personnel concerning the NI Civil Service estate's role in meeting renewable energy targets, as set out in the Draft Strategic Energy Framework.

17/09/2009

Given its responsibilities for the Government estate and for Government procurement, DFP has a important role in demonstrating Government’s lead on sustainable energy.

I have not, as yet, had direct dialogue on this issue with my Ministerial colleague. However, DFP and DETI officials work closely together through a number of formal structures including the Sustainable Energy inter-departmental working group and in all four of its sub-groups.

These relate to bioenergy, communications, economic opportunities and energy efficiency.

These working groups are aimed at bringing forward a coherent plan to ensure better integration and alignment of sustainable energy policy and activities across all the NI departments.

Northern Ireland Assembly
Tuesday 29 September 2009

Renewable Energy: Targets

7. Mr Easton asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what assistance is available to help businesses meet the renewable energy targets set out in the draft strategic energy framework.        (AQO 126/10)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: As I said, the most significant target in the strategic energy framework is to increase the amount of electricity from renewable sources to 40% by 2020. The primary source of financial assistance to developers whose renewable energy businesses will contribute to this challenging target is the Northern Ireland renewables obligation.

The Assembly voted for increased assistance under the NIRO for newer renewable technologies in the banding of the NIRO, which was brought in on 1 April 2009. I have also ensured that the Northern Ireland landfill gas developments are maintained at one renewables obligation certificate per megawatt hour, unlike elsewhere in the United Kingdom. That is a clear case of devolution delivering for Northern Ireland. The draft strategic energy framework highlights the significant potential to generate increased economic opportunities from sustainable energy activities in Northern Ireland.

As an example of how the Government are helping businesses to make the most of those economic opportunities, Invest NI is hosting a Northern Ireland energy and environment conference in the Waterfront Hall on 14 October. The event will cover real business opportunities in wind, marine, bioenergy and other low-carbon technologies, giving businesses access to the Crown Estate, and the European Union water and United Nations procurement programmes. Invest Northern Ireland’s strategy for the renewables sector also includes a range of initiatives that is aimed at increasing the deployment of sustainable technologies and improving energy efficiency, including direct business support provided by the Carbon Trust.

Mr Easton : What is Invest Northern Ireland doing directly to help local businesses that are interested in the development of sustainable energy?

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment : Invest NI has taken on board the views of the green new deal group, which, as Members know, issued a report some months ago. The group wants to take up the opportunities provided by the green new deal, grasp them and take them forward. It has chaired the economic opportunities subgroup of the interdepartmental working group on sustainable energy. That working group specifically examines the opportunities to create green jobs and skilled development in Northern Ireland, with the aim of developing and agreeing an action plan among the relevant Departments by the end of December 2009. That section of Invest NI is examining renewable energy. It is important that that is done because there are great opportunities in that area.

Mr McNarry : Will the Minister inform the House what discussions are ongoing with regard to developing the Northern Ireland Civil Service estate as a major renewable energy user? If there are no such discussions, will she encourage them to take place?

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Discussions are ongoing on that issue. In an earlier answer on the 10-day payment rule, I said that it is important that the Government lead, and the interdepartmental working group on sustainable energy includes repre­sentatives from across Government, who feed back into their own Departments. It is important that we hear from the government estate, especially from the Departments that own a lot of property, such as the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Department of Education and the Department for Regional Development. We need to know what they believe to be the best way forward. In the Department for Employment and Learning, much work has been done in some colleges of further education. The Omagh campus of the South West College has carried out much work on renewable energy, and that work was done in an exemplary way.

Mr McGlone : Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her responses so far on the assistance that is available to businesses, which I want her to broaden. I know that she has been active and vigorous in local areas. I met her in my constituency because she was involved in a job creation project.

Has the Minister discussed the possibility of reducing rates on non-domestic vacant properties with the Minister of Finance and Personnel? That would help smaller businesses to reduce their current excruciating overheads.

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment: We have not discussed that issue. However, to increase the energy efficiency of small companies and to decrease their energy bills, the Department puts a large amount of funding into the Carbon Trust, which visits companies and advises them what to do. In some instances, the change has been dramatic. Some large companies have saved about 17% on their energy bills because of the intervention of the Carbon Trust.

I urge small companies that are having difficulties with their energy bills, and I am sure that there are many, to consult the Carbon Trust. The organisation is willing to talk.