Enterprise and Energy Minister Arlene Foster has launched the MATRIX Horizon Panel report into Sustainable Energy.

The report sets out the current capability of the Sustainable Energy technology sector in Northern Ireland and outlines future global market opportunities for local companies to exploit. It identifies 'Intelligent Energy Systems' as an area where Northern Ireland can take a leading role. This approach integrates renewable energy sources and storage capability to the existing electricity grid using technologies that can measure, analyse, communicate and control the flow of energy.

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Arlene Foster said: "Last year I tasked MATRIX with identifying how Northern Ireland could grow economically through the development of sustainable energy technologies. This report illustrates concisely how locally developed innovations can enable our technology-based companies to exploit sustainable energy opportunities and compete on a global stage. This report represents a significant opportunity to enhance our access to and our use of renewable energy sources.

"My department, Invest Northern Ireland, MATRIX and other key stakeholders are already working together to ensure that our local companies reap the benefit of this opportunity. I want to thank the MATRIX Sustainable Energy Panel for their hard work and commitment in producing this report."

Bryan Keating, Chair of MATRIX added: "By understanding what the global energy demands of the future will be, we can now concentrate our efforts in aligning policy and skills with the needs of the sector. MATRIX will continue to advise DETI and Invest NI as these recommendations are implemented."

(CD)