Renewable NI has said that the recent renewable electricity generation statistics from the Department for the Economy (DfE) are "disappointing to read".

The company highlighted a decrease in the percentage of Northern Ireland's electricity sourced from renewable outlets compared to the previous 12 months. They noted that a lack of market backing, uncertain planning schedules and high levels of dispatch down are factors which are contributing to Northern Ireland's current unappealing status for renewable investment.

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In a statement, Steven Agnew, RenewableNI Director, said: "The current figure of 45.4% of our electricity from renewables is based largely on the development that took place under the old ROCs scheme. In its last year, 400MW of renewables were connected – we have had a combined total of only 86MW this decade.”

"The Climate Act set a legal obligation to have 80% by 2030, which means we need to more than double the generation to meet the increased demand as we electrify heat and transport. Today’s figures should act as a warning to policymakers. The target can still be met, but we need urgent policy action to deliver the pipeline of projects. Business as usual will see us fall well short."

The Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation Statistics report is available on the DfE website