The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) to small scale onshore wind projects has now closed, the Minister for the Economy has confirmed.

Minister Simon Hamilton said the consultation was set in the context of the Department of Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) intention to take a "backstop power" to protect Great Britain (GB) consumers if Northern Ireland did not close the NIRO on equivalent terms to GB.

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Minister Hamilton said: "Approximately 93% of respondents who indicated a preference supported the recommendation to close in June 2016.

"Taking account of the likely impact of DECC's 'backstop' power and the tenor of the majority of consultation responses, I intend to bring legislation to the Assembly to close the NIRO to new small scale onshore wind and existing small scale generating stations adding additional capacity before the end of June if Assembly timelines permit."

(CD)