To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for his assessment of how the current planning system is affecting the expansion of the green energy industry; and (ii) to detail any conversations he has had with the Minister for Infrastructure in relation to this issue.

The Renewable Energy Planning Database, which tracks the progress of renewable energy projects across the UK from application through to operation, shows that there are currently over 150 renewable energy projects, across a number of technologies, awaiting construction having achieved planning approval or that are currently going through the planning process in Northern Ireland.

The majority of complaints with regard to the planning regime centre on the time taken to reach a decision. I am informed that, the average processing time for all renewable energy applications brought to a decision or withdrawal during 2020/21 was 47.5 weeks and the approval rate for renewable energy applications was 88.5%, with 69 out of the 78 decisions issued during the year being approvals.

My predecessor met with Minister Mallon earlier this year to discuss the issue of planning for renewable projects. Minister Mallon is taking a number of steps to make the planning system more efficient and effective for all stakeholders. This includes the work of the Planning Forum, the ongoing review of the implementation of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Planning Engagement Partnership, work to take forward a new regional planning IT system and a review of the planning policy for renewable and low carbon technology energy.

In the interim, officials from DfE and DfI continue to engage on planning issues as part of the new Northern Ireland Energy Strategy which I am seeking to publish in the near future.