NIE - Planning policy review - strategic electricity infrastructure

Much of Northern Ireland’s electricity infrastructure has been in place since the 1960s and is now approaching the stage where it must be updated or replaced. Therefore, NIE is undertaking a review of planning policy relating to strategic electricity infrastructure and is proactively engaging with DOE planning and other bodies in order to ensure future infrastructure projects can be developed without unnecessary delays.

Issues Encountered

• Increasing demand for electricity
• Electricity infrastructure is ageing - a number of regionally significant projects must be developed as efficiently as possible in the coming years
• Current planning process for electricity infrastructure projects is too slow and easily delayed

Our Involvement

We were appointed by NIE to undertake a comprehensive analysis of UK & ROI planning policies and processes specifically relating to the development of strategic electricity infrastructure. We produced an issues paper which identifies the most effective policies and processes which are currently in place across each region. On this basis, the paper presents a list of recommendations as to how Northern Ireland’s policies and processes could be updated and improved upon. This has included strategic briefings with DOE Planning and at Ministerial level.