Thursday 24 October | 10.00am – 6.30pm | ICC Belfast
RenewableNI’s annual flagship event, its Smart Energy Conference, returned on Thursday 24 October in Belfast City Centre at the ICC. Bringing together industry, key stakeholders, policymakers and elected representatives, the day’s theme was Ten to Net Zero, focusing on how Northern Ireland can reinvigorate its renewable energy mission over the next decade to achieve a net zero electricity system by 2035.
Tamasin Fraser, RenewableNI Chair and Managing Director at Omnipower Renewables opened the proceedings. Whilst acknowledging the many challenges when it came to planning, grid and route to market, Tamasin stressed that the renewables’ sector was poised to deliver the 2030 target and would work tirelessly to achieve it. As we approach the decade mid-point, she called for this window of opportunity not to be missed. Achieving a net zero future went beyond just reaching targets, it was a stepping stone on a much bigger journey that could drive economic growth, energy security and deliver a better future for communities right across Northern Ireland.
Richard Rodgers, Head of Energy at the Department for the Economy delivered the day’s keynote address and detailed the programme of work the department is undertaking to meet the 80 by 2030 target. Looking to the future he highlighted the significant potential of future offshore wind and green hydrogen industries. Decarbonising the Northern Ireland economy is of the Economy Minister’s four key priorities and offers chance to promote regional rebalance and benefit communities in all parts of the region. The transition to net zero offered an opportunity to create transformational benefits which would not come round again.
In day’s first panel session, Tamasin Fraser was joined by Richard Rodgers, Le-ann Campbell, Senior Associate (Carson McDowell), Heather Donald, Director of Onshore Wind (SSE Renewables) and David Farrell, Head of Onshore Wind Development (ESB). Discussion concentrated on how industry is working to deliver 80% renewable electricity as we reach a critical juncture on the road to the 2030 target. Panellists conceded that traditional solutions and a business as usual approach would not suffice, rather bold ambition and innovative thinking from both government and industry would be the only possible way to pursue decarbonisation and the net zero prize. Substantial investment would be needed to deploy renewable energy at speed and at scale. To ensure that Northern Ireland made a compelling investment proposition, government needed to partner more with industry to overcome barriers and create the most favourable political, policy and market conditions possible.
Niamh Kenny, Project Director for North Channel Wind and Chair of RenewableNI’s Offshore Working Group chaired a timely panel session on the grid of the future. Joined by Eimear Watson, Head of Networks (SONI), Bobby Smith, Head of Energy Storage Ireland, Rory Mullan, Director (MullanGrid) and Lisa O’Neill, Renewables Development Manager (NIE Networks), the panel discussed solutions for the pressing dispatch down issue, the role of energy storage and how to build a future-proofed grid which can integrate more renewables onto the system. Rory Mullan’s presentation on the constraints crisis led to a lively audience Q&A, and concluded on a positive note, focusing on how continued collaboration between industry and SONI will allow delivery ahead-of-time of needed short and long-term solutions as we journey to the 2030 target.
Next up in the hot seat were local elected representatives from the Infrastructure and Economy committees who participated in a Question Time panel chaired by BBC Northern Ireland’s Environment Correspondent, Louise Cullen. David Honeyford MLA (Alliance Party NI), Sinead McLaughlin MLA (SDLP) and Deborah Erskine MLA (DUP) engaged in conversation on the critical role that Stormont must play in facilitating decarbonisation and climate change targets. Particular focus went to building a skilled renewables’ workforce and maximising community engagement and benefit. The panellists agreed that the lack of a functioning Executive had hampered progress to date, but voiced their confidence in the expertise and ambition of industry to deliver, and committed to doing their utmost to galvanise their fellow MLAs, key Ministers and the wider Executive into action to maximise the major economic and environmental opportunities net zero offered.
Russell Smyth Head of KPMG Ireland’s Sustainable Futures team in Belfast provided an update on the bright future of solar energy in Northern Ireland, as the technology experiences a global resurgence. KPMG authored a report assessing the potential economic benefits of a thriving NI solar industry. Key findings were overwhelmingly positive indicating that the solar industry could contribute up to £426 million to the Northern Irish economy over the 2025-2030 period and support up to 1,800 jobs annually by 2030.
The last session of the day was chaired by Laoiseach Scullion, Policy and Public Affairs Adviser at RenewableNI who put questions to the RenewableUK, RenewableNI and Wind Energy Ireland CEOs. Joined by Dan McGrail, Steven Agnew and Noel Cunniffe respectively, the conversation was wide-ranging. From increased North-West and East-West collaboration to meet 2030 targets, the impact of the Labour government’s energy policy announcements (including Clean Power Mission and GB Energy) to greater EU alignment and securing public buy-in for the energy transition. The organisation heads remained confidently optimistic that all parts of these Islands remained strong investment locations for the renewable industry and committed to delivering on the ambitious climate change targets set.
Following final remarks from RenewableNI Director Steven Agnew, Smart Energy 2025 closed with a networking and drinks’ reception. Ten to Net Zero was marked by a buoyant and optimistic attitude from industry, government and stakeholders across the sector. Whilst acknowledging the many challenges, the day’s focus was on coordinated and ambitious action and the practical steps required to make 80 by 30 and a net zero electricity system by 2035 a reality.
