Ulster Unionist economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA has welcomed the Department for the Economy's decision to reduce electricity connection costs, and said Northern Ireland must make the most of the opportunity it presents.

She said: "I welcome the Department’s move to ensure that homes, businesses and power generators only pay for the cables and equipment needed to connect their property to the main grid. This is a significant step forward, removing barriers that have held back investment and expansion. For too long, high connection costs have crippled local businesses and discouraged investment. This change will make growth more achievable and strengthen support for our local economy.

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"The benefits will be felt most in rural areas across Northern Ireland. In my own constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, this will open doors for many businesses and developers who previously faced prohibitive costs. By spreading the burden more fairly, we make expansion possible and turn opportunity into reality.

"This policy also paves the way for greater renewable energy investment. Upfront costs have been a major obstacle for green energy projects, but that barrier is now being removed. While there may be a small increase in consumer bills initially, these will level out as renewable generation grows, delivering more capacity and green energy in the long term.

"It is worth noting that the Minister has followed the GB model with High-Cost Cap methodology, aligning it to that developed by Ofgem and used in mainland Great Britain, the right decision for Northern Ireland.

"If managed carefully, this policy has the potential to make Northern Ireland a powerhouse for renewable and affordable energy."