Wednesday 10 December | 10.30am-12.30pm
RenewableNI, in partnership with A&L Goodbody, held a seminar to discuss the new Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) scheme.
During the session, attendees heard details of the Final Scheme Design for a renewable electricity support scheme for Northern Ireland, REPG, and had the chance to ask questions.
The REPG final scheme design, published on Friday 19 September, sets out the first auction as Q1 2027 for onshore wind, solar or hybrid projects above 5MW.
There were presentations from:
- Head of Onshore Renewable Electricity at Department for the Economy, Zoe Crowe;
- Niamh Collins, Senior Associate, A&L Goodbody and
- RenewableNI’s new Director, Mark Richardson.
These were followed by a wider panel discussion and audience Q&A session. Chaired by Tamasin Fraser, it also featured NIE Network‘s John Heywood, Generation Manager and Philip Stinson, Director, Turley.
Read the Policy Unpacked deeper insight into the seminar and REPG, including video, in Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee – shedding some light on the long-awaited scheme.
You can view the REPG final design on Department for the Economy website.
REPG seminar speakers
Zoe Crowe,
Head of Renewable Electricity,
Department for the Economy (DfE)
Securing sufficient renewable electricity generation is essential to deliver on net zero targets and ensure self-sufficiency and affordable electricity for Northern Ireland. The NI Executive’s Energy Strategy outlines the pathway to deliver net zero for Northern Ireland, Zoe and her team are responsible for developing the policy frameworks to facilitate the increase in renewable electricity necessary to meet anticipated demand and to maximise the potential for economic growth.
Zoe has over 20 years experience in public service, including roles in policy development, operational delivery, learning and development, change management and communications. She is CIPD qualified and holds a PgCert in Public Administration. Zoe has been working in Renewable Electricity since 2019.
Niamh Collins,
Senior Associate, A&L Goodbody
Niamh Collins is a senior associate in A&L Goodbody’s Energy team in Belfast. She specialises in advising on complex acquisitions and project finance in the energy industry and has experience in the onshore wind, solar, AD, waste energy gas and electricity infrastructure sectors. She also specialises in providing regulatory advice in respect of the electricity, gas and renewable energy sectors.
Examples of Niamh’s experience include advising:
- Greencoat UK Wind plc – on the acquisition of Slieve Divena 1, Slieve Divena 2, Churchill and Crigshane wind farms.
- Glennmont Partners – on the sale of Gruig wind farm.
- Platina Partners – on the acquisition, project financing and sale of Slieve Rushen wind farm.
- Société Générale – on various matters relating to the financing of Shantavny and Seegronan wind farms.
- A utility on the acquisition and project financing of a large scale anaerobic digestion project.
- Various utility companies in respect of connection disputes before the Utility Regulator.
Areas of Expertise
Mark Richardson,
RenewableNI Director
Mark Richardson is the newly appointed Director of RenewableNI, taking up post in mid-November. He brings extensive experience from his previous role as Head of Offshore Wind at Scottish Renewables, where he also led work on onshore wind and consenting. With a strong background in policy reform, business development, and stakeholder engagement, Mark has a proven track record of influencing decision-makers and driving positive outcomes for the renewables sector. At RenewableNI, he is committed to advancing Northern Ireland’s clean energy transition and ensuring renewables play a central role in delivering a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy future.
John Heywood,
Generation Manager, NIE Networks
As Generation Manager at NIE Networks, John Heywood oversees new applications and modifications to existing connections for all generation sites. With 20 years of experience in the electricity distribution industry, he leads a skilled team ensuring compliance, efficiency and integration of generation assets into the network, supporting Northern Ireland’s strategic energy objectives.
Philip Stinson,
Director, Turley
Philip has over 15 years of experience in the public sector and eight years in the private sector with Turley. His experience includes leading regionally significant planning applications through the planning process from pre-application stage to Ministerial decision. Philip also has significant experience in managing major planning applications through the planning process, advising on planning procedure and environmental impact assessment.
