Swann urges support for Northern Ireland Energy Agency
Mr Robin Swann, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Spokesman on Social Economy, Energy and Consumer Affairs, has called for the Assembly to support the Northern Ireland Energy Agency to allow it to develop an electricity service based on wind and wave power, and further develop the province’s energy security.
And Mr Swann, who is a senior member of North Antrim UUP Association Management Committee, said the main challenge the energy agency will face will be to bring a joint approach between the Stormont Executive’s various departments.
He added: “I warmly welcome the announcement under The Programme for Government the Executive has set a firm target that 12% of our electricity must be generated from indigenous renewable sources by 2012.
“However, this is not a new target as Northern Ireland was previously set these targets as part of the UK’s overall Koyto agreement, but what is more worrying is that we are currently only at a level of 3.8% so we still have a long way to go.
“So to achieve these targets, it will take a cross-departmental approach from the Northern Ireland Assembly, as the current fragmented system is not achieving the required progress.
“In this respect, I would urge the Assembly to support the Northern Ireland Energy Agency to act in this capacity and bring a joint approach to the co-ordination of energy efficiency, renewable energy and reduction of Carbon Dioxide, across all sections of our society.
“To this extent, it is vital to realise the importance of the Northern Ireland rural and agri community’s engagement at all stages in any proposed energy development stragety.
“This was also recently highlighted at the North Antrim Agricultural Association’s very successful centenary conference, which had as a theme Developments in Renewable Energy.
“At this conference, Sir Ben Gill, a past president of the National Farmers’ Union clearly demonstrated the importance of energy security to the Ulster agricultural section when he gave a presentation on Renewables - Food or Fuel; Facts or Fiction!
“If Northern Ireland is to achieve it’s 12% target from indigenous renewable sources, then it is important to look towards wind and other non-crop based energy sources.
“As the rest of the world moves in the same direction and away from its reliance on fossil fuels, we must also look to make the best use of our land base for food crop production so that we do not become completely dependent on imported produce to sustain our agri industry, and that it why it is cruicial that we harness the readily available energy source that is within our own tides and wind,” said Mr Swann.