Published in 2021, the NI energy strategy included a plan to fully decarbonise by 2050 and ensure that at least 80% of electricity consumption comes from renewable sources.
Funded plans must also be brought forward to address grid, infrastructure and energy storage constraints. We need to see decisive action, stronger oversight, a clear focus on results, and assurances that Northern Ireland is on track.
The committee wants to see barriers removed so that delivery can be accelerated.
Almost £124m of public money has been spent on energy-related programmes since 2020. The report makes 11 recommendations, including the publication and regular updating of the department's Energy Policy Statement.
While the committee noted the Department for the Economy's confidence in achieving the strategy's ambition of a £2bn green economy, members said the challenge was turning ambition into results so that Northern Ireland could realise the investment, jobs and wider benefits promised by the transition to net zero. However, the committee found that significant weaknesses had undermined its implementation, despite the department consulting widely during the development of the strategy.
Time is running out to meet key targets within Stormont's energy strategy by 2030, a committee has said.
We need assurances that Northern Ireland is on track."He said that despite the DfE"consulting widely"during the development of the strategy, the PAC found"that significant weaknesses had undermined its implementation".
The PAC heard that Northern Ireland could lose out on significant economic opportunities if action was not speeded up.
"Our report makes 11 recommendations, including the publication and regular updating of the department's Energy Policy Statement.
During its inquiry, the PAC heard from business and energy sector representatives that uncertainty around future policies and delivery timescales was affecting investment decisions.