To ask the Minister for the Economy considering the energy and cost of living crisis, how Northern Ireland will encourage the build-out of renewable energy required to increase indigenous energy generation and secure future energy independence and protection from volatile global markets.

My Department is working towards a target of 80% renewable electricity consumption from a diverse range of renewable sources by 2030 to deliver clean, affordable, locally produced electricity for Northern Ireland.

To encourage sufficient investment to meet this target we will be establishing a support scheme to incentivise renewable electricity development in Northern Ireland.

As per the Energy Strategy Action Plan 2022, my Department intends to consult on renewable electricity support mechanism options this year, with a view to delivery in 2023.