Good afternoon everyone.
I hope you enjoyed that Smart Energy video and shows the potential and the developments already happening for delivery.
Change doesn’t ‘just happen’. It takes hard work, vision and collaboration – I should know, because that’s how Smart Energy 2026 happened.
It took the time of each of you to attend today to listen and engage, it took our speakers and panel chairs coming together to ensure well thought out panel discussions, and all the people working behind the scenes.
To our Event partners, Carson McDowell, ESB and SONI, our sponsors ABO Energy, Action Renewables, ERG and NIMO, and all our exhibitors -your support powers days like this and the networks that form around them. To our RenewableNI team and everyone behind the scenes – production, venue staff and AV, thank you for making this run so smoothly.
Women in Renewables Leading by Example session
I would especially like to thank Abi Vann and Grete Domarkaite from RenewableUK. Not only have they provided planning and support over the past few months, but both always have a warm reassuring smile when I Teams call them with another item for their to do list. Please join me in giving them a thank you clap.
Turning energy ambition into renewable generation isn’t without challenges, and everyone in this room is aware of them. But when I set the Smart Energy theme of Developments for Delivery, I also knew that this sector isn’t short of vision and a commitment to overcome challenges by working together.
I’m sure you will agree that all our panels today didn’t shy aware from addressing these challenges; offering solutions and highlighting opportunities.
We have heard today that ambition is not the issue. The challenge now is alignment – between policy, infrastructure, investment and skills – and the confidence to move at pace.
RenewableNI Director, Mark Richardson mentioned you shouldn’t just say you collaborate; you should show how you are doing it.
He also said time is not a renewable resource.
What happens next does not sit with any one organisation or sector. Delivery will only happen if we continue the conversations started here, and translate them into action.
Delivery is hard. It requires difficult choices, long‑term thinking and sustained collaboration. But today has shown that the capability and commitment are already here.
In late 2023 the European Parliament reached an agreement to ban green washing. The rules prohibit vague claims like ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘green’ or ‘climate neutral’ unless they’re backed up by evidence.
As a former journalist, it will come as no surprise to hear I think how we use words matters.
RenewableNI members can prove we are ‘environmentally friendly’, whilst also supporting the economy.
We are providing ‘green’ clean energy. We are focused on limiting climate change impact.
As we heard the DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir MLA, say: “It is essential that Northern Ireland has the opportunity to capitalise on the opportunities that come from a just and fair transition, to secure good green jobs, a more resilient economy and a clean and green environment for future generations.”
At a time when energy uncertainty and potential price rises are dominating the headlines, the renewables sector has the strategic vision and economic benefits to provide the solutions to these issues.
Minister Muir delivering Smart Energy keynote
I would like to once again thank Minister Muir for joining us today. DAERA has a diverse portfolio, including the Climate Act. There is a strong commitment from the Minister and his team in engaging with RenewableNI to help tackle some of the key challenges facing our sector. That engagement will, of course, continue.
We also work closely with those in DAERA, Department for the Economy and Department for Infrastructure, as well as NIE Networks, SONI and Utility Regulator NI – many of whom are in the room today, in addition to those you have seen on the stage.
Whilst we were disappointed not to hear directly from Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald today, we have been working with closely with DfE officials. We are speaking with them regularly as we push for continued progress on REPG legislation. That will be a key focus when we meet with Minister Archibald in the coming weeks, something we very much look forward to, especially as I believe the Executive has now approved REPG.
What happens next?
- We will share Slides and recordings via the event app. We would also appreciate your feedback on today, a QR code is on-screen behind me. We will also share this invitation by email and would be grateful if you could spend a couple of minutes of your time to share your thoughts. We always take on board everything you say as demonstrated by the changes we made this year.
- If there is a conversation you want to continue around any of today’s topics, or to suggest something you feel is important, talk to us. RenewableNI convenes working groups, events and political engagements throughout the year.
- For those building their networks, the Women in Renewables community and our mentoring activities are open and active—your involvement helps grow the future talent we need.
Smart Energy conference is not the end point. It is part of an ongoing conversation about how Northern Ireland delivers renewable electricity at scale, and we look forward to continuing that work with you over the coming year.
I am delighted to remind you that Smart Energy networking drinks are now taking place in the exhibition area. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with today’s speakers and put the next steps in place to turning our energy ambition into delivery.
Thank you.
