The impact and importance of Northern Ireland's small wind and solar projects have been spotlighted in a new report from RenewableNI.

The leading renewable company published the 'Empowering You' report, revealing the small-scale wind industry in NI already provides 500 jobs.

Small-scale distributed generation (those under 5MW) currently provide 23 per cent of NI's renewable generation capacity.

In deploying this volume, NI has developed a market leading and innovative Distributed Generation. Last year, 51 per cent of all electricity in NI came from renewable sources, setting world leading records and displacing almost £500m of gas.

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Steven Agnew, Director of RenewableNI said: "It is essential for our economy and our environment that connections for renewable projects of less than 5MW are facilitated.

"While 5MW is enough electricity to supply up to 5,000 homes, the real power of small-scale generation is allowing businesses to use on-site generation to bring down the costs of their energy bills.

"Increasing the installed base of Distributed Generation will provide even more employment as well as innovation opportunities which can be developed and exported internationally."

The RenewableNI Director made the comments as the Consultation on NIE Networks Providing Distribution Generation Export Offers To Applicants Less Than 5MW closed.