The Department for the Economy has today confirmed the design of a new support scheme for renewable electricity generation in Northern Ireland. The Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) is intended to provide long-term stability in energy prices while encouraging investment in clean energy projects.
The scheme represents a significant milestone on the path to meeting the Climate Change Act’s target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030. By offering greater certainty to investors, the government hopes to boost the number of renewable projects connected to the grid and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Encouragingly, the design also explores how local communities could directly benefit from the transition. The Department has committed to examining a mandatory system of discounted electricity bills for households living near REPG-backed projects. This is a welcome step towards ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy are shared more fairly.
The Final Scheme Design sets out:
- the legal and governance framework required to implement the scheme;
- the core mechanism for funding REPG; and
- the eligibility criteria and contract allocation process.
While these measures are a positive step, Northern Ireland still faces significant challenges. Progress towards 80% renewables by 2030 has been slow, and clarity is still needed on planning reform and how communities will be meaningfully involved in decision-making.
We welcome the ambition of this new scheme but stress the need for urgency. With the climate crisis escalating and households struggling with volatile energy costs, the REPG must be delivered quickly, transparently, and with strong safeguards to ensure public trust.
Northern Ireland has vast untapped potential in wind, solar, and emerging technologies. If implemented well, this scheme could help unlock that potential — but only if government, industry, and communities work together to put people and the planet first.
