Northern Ireland's energy sector is at the forefront of Europe and has a key role to play in the region's future economic growth.

That was the message from the Assembly's Energy Minister Nigel Dodds, in his foreword in the 2008 Energy Institute Yearbook for Northern Ireland, which was launched on January 16 at a Biomass Energy Seminar in the Dunadry Hotel, Antrim.

The Institute is a chartered professional body for the international energy industry. The yearbook is widely read by professionals and academics working across the energy sector in Northern Ireland.

-- Advertisement --

Commenting in the foreword, Minister Dodds said: "The creation of the Single Electricity Market (SEM) in November last year was a major step forward in the development of a robust local energy infrastructure.

"With up to 10% of electricity in the Irish Republic being imported from Northern Ireland or from Scotland, plans are underway to build a second north – south transmission interconnector by 2012. This will form a major part of our transmission grid, doubling trading capacity and enhancing competition and reliability of electricity supply."

The Minister said such developments are key drivers of growth for the Northern Ireland economy, helping to build a more productive and prosperous society here.

The Minister believes that Northern Ireland must continue to work with its counterparts in the rest of the UK and the Irish Republic, as well as with professional bodies such as the Energy Institute, in order to ensure continued security of supply and the provision of a robust and sustainable energy infrastructure.

(GK/JM)