Energy governance for the Northern Ireland energy transition

Abstract

As part of the development of the Northern Ireland government’s future energy strategy, the University of Exeter Energy Policy Group was grant funded to produce a think-piece on current energy governance in Northern Ireland (NI) and how this governance connects to wider UK and Republic of Ireland energy governance. We were also asked to investigate how the current governance structure should change in order to support the energy transition and to ensure NI contributes to the UK wide net-zero target. To develop this paper, we combined our insights around UK energy policy and governance with original research. We used desk based research to produce a detailed map of current energy governance in NI and then used interviews carried out during early summer 2020 with civil servants and staff at relevant public sector bodies to uncover perceived issues with existing energy governance and to consider ways forward.