Our strategy

SONI has a unique role to play in transforming the power system. Our Strategy 2020-2025 sets out how we're going to play our part in supporting Northern Ireland's present and future energy needs. It is informed by climate change goals and the necessary transition to a low carbon, renewable future. 

To achieve these goals, we need a stronger, more flexible electricity grid. This means more pylons, more overhead lines, more substations and more underground cables. All to secure our electricity today and ensure a stable future for the generations to come.

The move to clean energy generation is well underway in Northern Ireland. Our 2020-2025 strategy is structured around four overarching goals.

1. Lead on sustainability and decarbonisation

This is the primary goal behind our plans. We are committed to leading the decarbonisation of Northern Ireland for the good of everyone who lives and works here.

Energy transition

Electricity from renewable sources will play a vital role in the response to the climate crisis. Demand for power will grow as heating and transport switch to electricity.

This change cannot happen unless the power system is transformed. We aim to move to a grid that can perform with close to 100% renewable energy.

To do that we are:

Visible and trusted leadership

Large scale transformation needs public, political and regulatory support. We work to be:

Reliable electricity

Everybody needs confidence that electricity is available, reliable and competitively priced. Our primary role is operating the grid and the transition to greater renewable energy has the potential to challenge our reliability. We are committed to:

Northern Ireland has the ability to set its own energy policy. The Department for the Economy is responsible for setting this policy in Northern Ireland.

Single electricity market

The single energy market operates throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland. In 2018, we integrated our market more closely with European markets. This helps to ensure that the market is:

We have always recognised the need for successful partnerships. As we respond to the climate crisis, we'll need these partnerships more than ever.

Every day we work with NIE Networks, who own and build grid transmission assets. They also operate the electricity distribution system in Northern Ireland. Major collaboration with NIE Networks is essential in the switch to electric vehicles and electric heating in the home.

We also work with:

4. Better outcomes for all through engagement

Infrastructure

Advances in technology are helping us to find less intrusive ways to move large amounts of power. But all electricity grids depend on large scale infrastructure. This means we still rely on pylons, substations and overhead cables.

Landowners and local communities

The climate crisis is urgent for all of us. Our strategy is testing the advances we've made in public and stakeholder engagement. Asking communities to accept new infrastructure has never been easy. It's our job to explain how the strategy will make a difference and respond meaningfully to fears and concerns.

Regulators

The Utility Regulator is a primary stakeholder in our focus on sustainability. Our aim is to collaborate with the regulator on managing the transition to clean energy.

The transition to low carbon, renewable energy will have widespread consequences. There will be major changes in how we generate, use, buy and sell electricity.

The electricity system will carry more power than ever before. Most of that power will be from renewable sources. Coal, peat and oil-based generation will be phased out in the next decade. 

And while this happens, new technology will allow electricity users to generate and store power and return any surplus to the grid. This creates opportunities for all.

We will shortly publish our new Strategy 2025-2031 which will set a renewed purpose, vision and our plans for the future.