Consultation: Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan design

Views sought on the shape of Northern Ireland’s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan.

The Department for the Economy (DfE) is asking for stakeholders’ views on the path forward to deliver a smart and flexible energy system, as part of Northern Ireland’s path to net zero.

The transition from a fossil fuel based energy system will require a wide range of flexibility to manage changing demand with our intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. DfE is asking stakeholders’ views on the policy issues which will need to be addressed in delivering this smart and flexible energy system. The Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan will not deliver any policy decisions itself, but it will set the path for the future policy developments which DfE and the Utility Regulator will need to provide.

The consultation is a long document, because it covers a very wide field, across almost all energy issues in NI. The department does not expect respondents to be able to answer all of the many questions posed, and will be very pleased for respondents to address the areas in which they are comfortable providing their views and feedback.

Find out more about the consultation and how to respond.

First published 17 January 2024