Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn has criticised the failure to deliver plug-in solar in Northern Ireland, as new rules allowing households in Great Britain to use plug-in solar panels come into force today.
From today, households across Great Britain can legally use compliant plug-in solar systems of up to 800W, giving people a simple and relatively low-cost way to generate their own electricity and reduce their bills. The UK Government estimates that a typical system could save households up to £110 a year.
However, households in Northern Ireland do not have access to the same arrangement.
Cllr Flynn previously raised the issue directly with Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald. In a letter dated 20 May, the Minister stated that NIE Networks was reviewing the necessary changes to Engineering Recommendation G98/NI and said that the process was expected to proceed “in parallel with the equivalent process in Britain” and conclude on “broadly similar timescales.”
That has clearly not happened.
Cllr Flynn said:
“Today is a very clear example of Northern Ireland being left behind when it comes to making it easier for households to generate their own clean electricity.
“I raised plug-in solar with the Economy Minister months ago and was explicitly told that the necessary regulatory changes in Northern Ireland were expected to proceed in parallel with the process in Britain.
“Today, people in Great Britain can go out and buy a compliant plug-in solar system and use it to generate their own electricity. People in Northern Ireland cannot do the same.
“There is a serious question for the Economy Minister about what happened to the timetable she set out to me in May. If Northern Ireland was expected to move in parallel with Britain, why are we not there today?
“Northern Ireland has some of the highest levels of household energy costs and some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the UK. We should be looking for every opportunity to help people reduce their energy bills while accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels.
“Plug-in solar is not a replacement for properly installed rooftop solar, but it provides another option for people who rent, live in flats, cannot afford a full solar installation or simply do not have a suitable roof.
“We should be making it easier for people to generate clean, affordable energy, not leaving them waiting while the rest of the UK moves ahead.
“I am calling on the Economy Minister to urgently set out what has caused the delay, what work remains to be completed, and most importantly, when people in Northern Ireland will actually be able to benefit from plug-in solar.”
ENDS
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