There remain divergent schools of thought when it comes to the future of our energy system here.
While our politicians continue to beat the ever-deadened drum of achieving an 80% renewable energy generation target by 2030, others are less optimistic.
The latest figures show our generation has actually fallen, and now sits at just 44.5%.
Those in the clean energy sector have been calling for substantial improvements in our planning system – and as far as an entire overhaul of planning appeals – while others still believe gas and other non-renewable sources will remain part of out generation needs in the short to medium term.
Gas remains at the core of Northern Ireland’s power generation currently, with new facilities moving away from coal to the cleaner fuel.
And a recent report from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) in GB points towards its continued usage in achieving 2030 targets.
For GB, it says offshore wind “must be at the bedrock” of the system, with onshore wind and solar providing a further third.
But while it says gas should remain, it says it should be used “rarely to ensure the security of supply” and that unabated gas should provide less than 3% of GB’s generation, in a typical year.
“It is possible to build, connect and operate a clean power system for Great Britain by 2030, while maintaining security of supply,” the report says.
But regardless of whether we will ultimately rely on gas for that little bit longer, we need to address the elephant in the room.
Planning shouldn’t mean things are green lit without robust and proper scrutiny. Community consultation and response is key to the future of our built environment.
But, should it take almost a decade to decide on something like a wind farm?
Take Gruggandoo Wind Farm close to Hilltown.
It’s one of a number of large-scale schemes – enough to power almost 30,000 homes – and those deemed regionally significant, which has sat in the planning system, and Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) here for up to 499 weeks. Two and half years of that has been with the PAC.
And it’s yet to get a date for an inquiry.
This is a contentious scheme, it has to be said.
There were hundreds of objections raised about the above wind farm, a department recommending refusal and community public outcry over the impact it could have on the Mournes and skyline.
Its developer says Northern Ireland’s planning system is “one of the biggest hurdles to decarbonising our economy and wider society”.
The application for that wind farm was first submitted back in 2015. It was then referred to the former Department of the Environment, now the Department for Infrastructure, before being sent to the PAC more than two years ago. It has had the application for 134 weeks.
The scheme would include eight wind turbines, an electrical substation, along with road and junction works.
There are more than 400 responses to the scheme, many of which have objected to it.
In 2022, former Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, announced a public inquiry into the development. The department said that decision came following the “consideration of her officials’ development management report which recommended that the application should be refused”.
But that being said, if this is the time it takes for something like this to be considered, or even refused, how do we expect to get to a point where green energy development is expedited to a point in which we can reach our 2030 and 2050 targets.
Keep in mind, these are targets laid down by government. This isn’t a private sector-led barrage – although making it profitable and generating revenue is obviously at the core of any business’s objective.
The 80% renewable energy target by 2030 is still being talked about openly by our elected representatives, seemingly with little or no consideration for how we would go about and achieve that.
It’s become pie-in-the-sky thinking. Is there some solution which can be turned around in the next two to three years that the rest of us are entirely unaware of, is it ignorance, or are people simply putting the blinkers on in the hope that we will all forget about it?
This is a challenge. But there are others. Northern Ireland’s waste water issues and lack of capacity are as crucial. We can build as many homes as we like, but if we don’t have the capacity to deal with where the waste goes, then it’s fruitless.
“Northern Ireland has some of the best renewable energy sources in the world, but as things stand we’re unable to take full advantage of them,” Daniel McLaughlin, director of Belmont Strategy, says. The firm counts several renewable developers among its clients.
“The planning process is often slow and inconsistent,” he tells me.
“We don’t yet have a route to market; and the development of the grid network is constrained by outdated restrictions that mean the Utility Regulator cannot prioritise low carbon energy solutions.
“This makes it much more difficult to deliver projects here than in neighbouring jurisdictions and puts us at a disadvantage when competing for investment.
“Although challenging, these issues can be solved with a cross-departmental approach from government and collaboration with industry. But it has to happen quickly.
“80% by 2030 can still be delivered with innovation and determination from everyone. Ultimately, that milestone is part of a bigger journey over a longer period – full decarbonisation and reversing climate change.”
There was some good news on the development front in the last few days. SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) awarded new projects in Coleraine and Coolkeeragh to renewable energy generator Statkraft, following a procurement process.
SONI said the technology would help integrate more renewable energy sources by providing the “inertia capabilities” needed to keep the power system stable.
Let’s turn back to the PAC – which is at the core of all of this. It’s a relatively small department which now actually sits within the Department of Justice’s remit, following the shake-up of Stormont almost 10 years ago.
While the Justice Minister has answered Assembly Questions in relation to the PAC, she has also on occasion referred to its independence. So, who truly oversees the PAC itself? It has serious power when it comes to decision-making here in Northern Ireland.
Planning is at the centre of almost everything which is developed here – from social housing, to renewable energy generation, building factories, hotels or offices. It’s a considerable level of responsibility.
I’ve contacted the PAC many times over articles in the past, and on at least one occasion I’ve received a response back from the Courts and Tribunal Service’s press office, while further correspondence came from the PAC directly, and wasn’t responded to on the last occasion when I asked about the above windfarm delays.
It’s cited a lack of senior staff as having an impact on dealing with applications. It’s continually said that around 75% of its commissioners are “new to the role”. The reasons for this loss of senior staff have not been made clear.
Meanwhile, there are three other regionally significant schemes, including two other wind farms, were submitted as far back as 2020, while Dalradian’s plans for a gold mine in Co Tyrone were first filed in 2017. The PAC has said any further referrals from the Department for Infrastructure are now on hold until that report is completed.
The PAC told the developer in August this year that due to the upcoming public inquiry into Dalradian’s gold mine – now scheduled to start in January 2025 and end in March after being pushed back from September this year – that there would be “insufficient time to conduct and report on other public inquiries… prior to the Dalradian Conjoined Inquiry moving forward”.
“However, we continue to keep the matter under review and we will do our utmost to progress referrals at the earliest opportunity subject to the resource constraints outlined…”
Patricia McGrath, UK director at ABO Energy, which is behind the Gruggandoo Wind Farm, said while it appreciated the “large caseloads” within the system that the delays and slow progress were “extremely frustrating”.
“The current performance of the planning system in Northern Ireland is one of the biggest hurdles to decarbonising our economy and wider society.
“We would encourage the Department for Infrastructure, the PAC and all other stakeholders to take a collaborative approach to make sure these opportunities can be delivered without delay.”
Planners and developers have been critical of the PAC, particularly over the time taken to deal with appeals.
A report from the PAC earlier this year said while its performance is “not where it needs to be” it’s outlined an action plan to address developer and user issues.
The Audit Office says it is undertaking a fresh review of the organisation, which is expected next spring.