Wednesday 26 April 2023

NI to get a £3bn net zero network makeover

NIE Networks has said it will invest £3 billion in the Northern Irish electricity network to take it closer to net zero.

It will invest that amount across a ten-year period, creating 1,000 new jobs for the country in the process.

The company stated that this investment will be the minimum needed to keep Northern Ireland on track to meet its climate aims.

In addition to modernising the electricity network for a greener future, NIE has said it will provide training and apprenticeships surrounding net zero to bring forward the next generation of green workers.

Derek Hynes, Managing Director at NIE Networks, said: “A significant step change is needed in the level of investment required during the next 10 years and beyond to facilitate the scale of decarbonisation mandated in the Northern Ireland climate change legislation.

“We believe that we will need to create 1,000 new jobs, including 400 apprenticeships in NIE Networks and up to 500 new jobs in our contractors and support partners, between now and 2030.

“This level of investment will also attract additional inward investment into Northern Ireland, alongside encouraging new businesses to come here and existing businesses to grow.”