We Secure the Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland
SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) operates the electricity grid. We bring electricity to every part of Northern Ireland, and plan ahead for future growth. A better energy supply means greater prosperity in the years ahead. At SONI, we want everyone to share in that brighter future. SONI delivers a safe, secure, economic and reliable electricity network. From our control centre in Belfast, we manage the flow of power on the high-voltage grid throughout Northern Ireland. We bring electricity from sources of energy generation and send it to businesses and industries that need large amounts of energy.
We also power Northern Ireland Electricity’s distribution network. This supplies electricity to homes, farms and businesses. We work in cooperation with NIE Networks to develop the electricity grid infrastructure for Northern Ireland. We need to invest in and improve your grid. This is essential to make your supply of electricity more reliable and costeffective. It also supports economic growth and enables competition.
An Introduction to SONI
Finally, we need to develop the grid so it can connect to new sources of renewable energy.
SONI facilitates greater use of renewable energy sources Northern Ireland has one of the best wind resources in Europe, and has excellent potential for ocean energy. There are now over 600 megawatts of wind energy on your electricity grid. But we need to double this capacity to meet the Assembly’s target of 40% renewable energy use by 2020.
SONI develops new connections - for energy security and lower prices
With a better energy supply in place, farms, factories and towns across Northern Ireland will be able to expand.
We are planning a new connection between electricity networks in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Equally, large industries and hightech companies will now have more reason to locate here.
This will work similarly to the existing connection with Scotland.
Your views are important to us
The North South Interconnector will make our electricity network stronger and more secure. It will also allow for more competition – which should bring prices down.
At SONI, we have representatives on the ground to help communities and landowners who our plans may affect. We want to hear your views, and to respond to concerns where possible. An Introduction to SONI
If you have any questions about our projects, please get in touch: SONI Head Office Information Line 028 90 794 336 Email enquiries@soni.ltd.uk Armagh Information Office 16 Russell Street, Armagh City, County Armagh, BT61 911 Email armaghoffice@soni.ltd.uk Fergal Keenan SONI Agricultural Liaison Officer Telephone 0796 693 0855 Email fergal.keenan@soni.ltd.uk
Loguestown Coolkeeragh Power Station
Coleraine
Limavady
Mid-Antrim
Lissaghmore To Letterkenny
Ballymena Kells
Brockaghboy
Killymallaght
Strabane Magherafelt
Creagh
Ballylumford Power Station Larne
Moyle Interconnector
Kilroot Power Station Antrim
Magherakeel
Rathgael Newtownards
Tremoge Omagh Curraghamulkin
Dungannon Gort
110kV single circuit
Lisburn Tamnamore Waringstown Drumnakelly
Turleenan Ballynahinch
Tandragee
Enniskillen
To Corryclassy
Castlereagh
Banbridge
Proposed North South Interconnector
110kV substation
Approved 110kV single circuit
Approved 110kV substation
Proposed 110kV single circuit
Proposed 110kV substation
110kV double circuit
275kV substation
Newry
Louth
275kV double circuit
Proposed 400/275kV substation
Proposed North South Interconnector
Approved Cluster substation Proposed Cluster substation
Northern Ireland’s electricity grid The transmission Conventional system is 2,200km energy generation in length. It includes - such as gas and both overground lines coal - produces and underground around 2,300 cables, and operates megawatts (MW) of at voltages of energy. Renewable 275 and 110kV. sources like wind farms provide around 630MW.
The Moyle Interconnector links the electricity grids of Northern Ireland and Scotland. This provides 500MW when operating at full capacity.