Northern Ireland Electricity Networks has announced it has connected over 1.2GW to the electricity network.

This delivers more than 25% of the total energy consumed from renewables, mainly wind and solar power.

Michael Atkinson, Head of Generation Connections, said this is a significant advancement in the integration of renewable energy as part of Northern Ireland's energy mix.

He said: "In the last five years we have seen many challenges and have taken an innovative approach as we essentially 'reverse engineered' the electricity network to accommodate the new generation. Capacity limits, the removal of the planning permission stipulation for new applications and an immense workload have tested both our resources and our network.

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"We have worked in close partnership with the renewables industry to look at new ways to facilitate a wide range of micro, small and large scale generation in all parts of Northern Ireland.

"The electricity network develops with every new home, business or renewable generator we connect. Government policies to encourage more electricity from renewable sources have led to a new wave of generation. Making the network ready for a cleaner, greener future has led to investment to strengthen or extend the electricity system in rural areas where wind farms, anaerobic digesters or tidal generators are being sited."

(CD/LM)