Northern Ireland Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced a new scheme designed to lower household electricity bills and increase investment in renewable energy.

The Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) aims to help Northern Ireland meet the Climate Change Act's target of 80% renewable electricity consumption by 2030.

According to Dr Archibald, the scheme will boost renewable generation and help reduce Northern Ireland's reliance on "high-cost fossil fuels." The final scheme design also includes a proposal to give households near REPG-supported projects a discount on their electricity bills.

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The final scheme design, which has been published today, outlines the legal framework, funding mechanism, and eligibility criteria for the initiative. The Department for the Economy is expected to consult on the scheme's terms and conditions later this year, with the first auction for contracts anticipated in early 2027.

Renewables NI has welcomed the new Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee as a much-needed step to attract private investment and deliver affordable electricity for consumers. The group noted that only 110MW of new wind power has been connected in the last five years, far short of the 2,000-2,500MW needed to meet the 80% by 2030 renewable electricity target. While praising the scheme, Renewables NI Chair Tamasin Fraser said that "ambition must now be matched by delivery" and urged the government to address existing barriers such as grid constraints and planning delays to ensure the first auction in early 2027 is a success.