Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year Ending March 2022

A report detailing the percentage of electricity consumption in Northern Ireland generated from renewable sources was published today.

Economic Output Statistics

The ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending March 2022’ report details the percentage of electricity consumption in Northern Ireland generated from renewable sources and includes information on the type of renewable generation used. The report reflects performance against the commitments in the new Northern Ireland Energy Strategy ‘Path to Net Zero Energy’ which includes a target to meet 70% of electricity consumption from a diverse mix of renewable sources by 2030.

Main results:

• For the 12 month period April 2021 to March 2022, 43.8% of total electricity consumption in Northern Ireland was generated from renewable sources located in Northern Ireland. This represents a decrease of 2.5 percentage points on the previous 12 month period (April 2020 to March 2021).
• The decrease over this period in the proportion of electricity consumption generated from renewable sources reflected the reduced volume of wind generation due to lower wind speeds experienced during 2021.
• In terms of the volume of electricity consumption between April 2021 and March 2022, some 7,599 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of total electricity was consumed in Northern Ireland. Over the same period, some 3,332 GWh was generated from renewable sources located in Northern Ireland.
• Of all renewable electricity generated within Northern Ireland over the 12 month period April 2021 to March 2022, 83.0% was generated from wind. This compares to 83.7% for the previous 12 month period (April 2020 to March 2021).
• In February 2022, 76.5% of electricity consumption was generated from renewable sources, the highest monthly proportion on record.
• For the 12 month period ending March 2022, non-wind renewable electricity generation in Northern Ireland was 565.5 GWh, the highest non-wind generation volume on record.

The full report is available on this website

Notes to editors: 

1. The information presented in the report is derived from data provided to DfE on a monthly basis by Northern Ireland Networks Ltd (NIE Networks). The monthly renewable electricity generation data is derived by aggregating output from renewable electricity generators who are connected to the transmission and distribution network using a combination of data held by NIE Networks and the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI). The renewable electricity generation data details the total amount of renewable electricity generated by such generators in Northern Ireland, by type of generation, for each month.
2. Some forms of renewable generation are not covered by the data contained in the report. Due to their particular circumstances, neither NIE Networks nor SONI have information on the electricity generated by some renewable generators. These include microgenerators and a small number of generating stations that are unable to export electricity to the grid (non-export stations).
3. Electricity consumption refers to the total amount of electricity consumption in Northern Ireland as recorded via metered data by NIE Networks. Transmission and distribution losses are not included in consumption calculations.
4. Electricity generated from renewable sources refers to renewable generators physically located within Northern Ireland and recorded by NIE Networks and SONI. It excludes microgeneration, non-export generating stations and any imported electricity derived from known or unknown renewable sources.
5. For media enquiries, please contact the Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk
6. General information on the Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation for Northern Ireland report can be obtained from Sean Donnelly, DfE Analytical Services by email at sean.donnelly@economy-ni.gov.uk or by telephone on 028 9052 9793.
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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