An Introduction to SONI - the System Operator for Northern Ireland

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.