As we approach the festival season, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support over the past year.

It has been a period of transition for the team, with Steven Agnew and Laoiseach Scullion moving to our co-parent company and Madeleine Clarke joining us from RenewableUK.

I have now completed my first month as Director, during which I’ve been listening closely to member feedback and engaging with key external stakeholders. I will continue these conversations into the new year and look forward to connecting with those I have not yet had the chance to meet.

This year also marked the successful launch of the fully funded Women in Renewables mentoring scheme. Many of our member companies have already benefitted from the Level 2 mentoring qualification and complimentary mentoring sessions, which are helping to increase the visibility of women across our sector.

Throughout the year, RenewableNI has been proactively lobbying for the delivery of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (REPG). From party political conferences to stakeholder meetings and our recent RenewableNI REPG seminar, we have consistently pressed for the timely delivery of this essential policy.

The Department for the Economy (DfE) published the Mid-Term Review of the Energy Strategy this afternoon (18 December). We look forward to the publication of an Energy Policy Position Statement. Referred to in the Review as ‘setting out a clear direction for delivery through to 2030’, we will engage with DfE in the new year on this. The Review also addressed issues raised in the Audit Office report that many of you read in Autumn, and we are optimistic of the Energy Strategy Oversight Group’s aim to ‘strengthen governance, planning, and oversight of the Energy Strategy’.

Looking ahead, our flagship Smart Energy Conference will take place on Thursday 26 March 2026 and will feature a keynote address from the Economy Minister. The event will focus on the actions needed to unlock Northern Ireland’s renewable electricity potential.

As a reminder, RenewableNI Gold and Silver members have complimentary access to RenewableUK’s EnergyPulse, the leading market intelligence platform. Tracking over 1,200 onshore, storage, and offshore projects, EnergyPulse provides exceptional insight into Northern Ireland’s renewables pipeline. It will be an invaluable tool ahead of the REPG auction.

If you are interested in a short demonstration, we would be happy to arrange one, with full training and support provided by RenewableUK once signed up.

Thank you once again for being part of RenewableNI. Your support enables us to advocate, influence, and champion the growth of Northern Ireland’s renewable energy sector.

Finally, I would like to wish you a restful Christmas and a Happy New Year on behalf of everyone at RenewableNI.  We look forward to working with you in the new year to deliver on Northern Ireland’s renewable ambition.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Richardson
Director
RenewableNI