Homes and businesses across Northern Ireland are becoming more reliant on renewable energy, according to a new report.

The Department for the Economy data shows a rise in the use of renewable energy, with 44% of electricity last year generated from renewable sources. This exceeds the previous target of 40% for 2020.

The figures have been welcomed by political figures across NI, with SDLP councillor Pete Byrne calling on the region to seek to become a world leader in renewable technologies.

"A 3% increase in electricity generation through renewable sources is good news and it's part of a sustained increase in clean energy production over the last decade. We are now well on our way to generating more than half of our electricity needs through clean, green energy production.

-- Advertisement --

"The vast majority of this energy still comes from wind power accounting for over 84% of all renewable electricity generation. That will come as no surprise after a spate of storms that have buffeted the island. It's important, however, that we seek diverse sources of renewable energy and aren't overly reliant on any single method. That means exploring hydroelectric power, looking at our geothermal hot spots and investing in research into new clean biomass tech.

"Our goal should be to lead on research into clean, green technologies, diversifying our economy and helping to avoid irreversible climate breakdown. The potential is here, we have to make a choice to pursue it."

While also throwing support behind the promising figures, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald described it as "the beginning of a net zero carbon transition".

"Sinn Féin's all-Ireland vision is to see 80% of our power generated from renewable sources by 2030," she added.

"The Minister for Economy has a responsibility to put ambitious and robust policies in place to achieve this target as she forms the incoming Department's Energy Strategy.

"In particular, we need to see more support for community energy, cooperatives, and a broader range of renewables sources."

(CM/JG)