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Unprecedented Change by
Unprecedented Change by 2030
SONI, the Electricity Transmission System Operator for Northern Ireland, operates and plans the transmission grid. This includes interconnection with neighbouring grids and the operation of the wholesale electricity market. SONI fulfils an essential role to consumers, the economy and to the environment.
Between 2015 and 2020, Northern Ireland met the challenge of providing 40% of our electricity needs from renewable sources. SONI, along with its colleagues at Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, was central to this success. Achieving this meant the connection and integration of 1,600 megawatts of energy from renewable sources being accommodated on the system. The next decade will result in even greater change in order to support the journey to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.
To reach Northern Ireland’s Net Zero commitments the power system must be transformed. What happens over the next decade will be critical. It is because of this, that SONI has launched a public consultation on ways to deliver a clean electricity grid for Northern Ireland by 2030.
The grid operator is seeking feedback on Shaping Our Electricity Future; a new report that details four innovative approaches to fundamentally change the grid in order to achieve Northern Ireland’s clean energy ambitions while maintaining an affordable and secure supply for consumers.
SONI Managing Director Alan Campbell is asking every one interested in Northern Ireland’s energy future to consider the approaches, provide feedback through the public consultation and be part of this decade of change.
“SONI has a central role to play in the transition to cleaner electricity. The Economy Minister has stated an ambition for Northern Ireland of at least 70% electricity from renewable sources by 2030. While future energy policy is being developed, the change needed to the electricity system must begin today.
“It is important to reflect on what has been achieved to date; latest figures from the Department for the Economy show almost 50% of the electricity used last year came from renewable sources; we have been proud to play our part in this success, but we have much to do.
“The amount of renewable generation connected to the transmission grid will need to double in a decade and so the grid itself, requires unprecedented
change. It must be made stronger and more flexible in order to carry increasing amounts of clean energy like wind and solar. This will mean more connections and while we will make every effort to utilise the existing grid, inevitably we will need more infrastructure; overhead lines, underground cables, pylons and substations.
“The change will affect every one of us and will sometimes be difficult. It is because of this that we are hosting a public consultation to find an agreed approach. Every one of us should have a say.”
SONI’s four approaches for transforming the grid could result in up to 20 significant grid development projects. These would transfer renewable electricity from the north and west to the east, including to the Greater Belfast area where there is most demand.
SONI points out that this is only one approach and details the potential use of new technologies to limit the number of projects needed. SONI is also suggesting that offshore wind and policies to influence the location of generators and future large energy users such as big industry and data centres, could impact the scale of change to the grid.
The four approaches in Shaping Our Electricity Future will focus on delivery of renewable targets, but will also look to managing the projected increase in demand for clean electricity from the heat and transport sectors. The approaches are:
1. Generation-Led: Government policy would influence where renewable energy is generated – favouring locations where the grid is already strong
2. Developer-Led: In this approach, we continue to connect new sources of renewable electricity as requested in any location resilient so it can better handle the variable nature of renewable energy
4. Demand-Led: Government policy determines where future large energy users such as big industry and data centres would locate in Northern Ireland Each of the four approaches requires investments in grid development projects throughout Northern Ireland, with costs ranging from £113 million to £535 million. Further details on each of the approaches are available at consult.soni.ltd.uk.
According to Alan Campbell, “whole system change is required” and the SONI managing director says the roadmap produced as a result of the Shaping Our Electricity Future public consultation will help individuals and organisations to navigate it.
“Shaping Our Electricity Future final report, which we intend to launch in autumn, will be the roadmap to decarbonising the power system. It will support Northern Ireland’s renewable energy commitments over the next 10 years and out to 2050. It will feed into the Economy Minister’s development of a new energy policy and will ultimately deliver NI’s future clean energy targets.
“Our approaches aren’t set in stone and we need collaboration and co-operation from a range of bodies including government, the regulator, business and industry, consumers and communities. The public consultation and the final report are about finding the optimum solutions in the face of climate change. That benefit speaks for itself but this work will also support the green recovery from the pandemic and deliver a more regionally balanced economy.”
From 8th March over a 14-week period, SONI will hold a series of workshops, meetings and forums to inform people and gather feedback that will directly influence the final roadmap. Find out more about the public consultation and how to have your say in Shaping Northern Ireland’s Electricity Future by visiting consult.soni.ltd.uk. You can also participate by emailing info@soni.ltd.uk or via post to Shaping Our Electricity Future, SONI, 12 Manse Road, Belfast, BT6 9RT.
Front: Mark Miller (Sales Apprentice, Concentrix). Back L-R: Sarah McKay (Senior Director, Service Delivery, Concentrix); Martina Quinn (Learning and Development Lead, Concentrix) and Aidan Sloane (Head of Skills and Apprenticeships, Belfast Met).
DEVELOPING SKILLS
With many opportunities across a range of diverse industry sectors, apprenticeships are an effective solution for talent and workforce development strategies. Here Belfast Met and Concentrix outline how they have worked in partnership with flexibility, agility and dedication to co-design the apprenticeship programme, which has positively affected how Concentrix recruits and upskills within their business.
The value of apprenticeships and how they support businesses across a wide range of sectors cannot be underestimated. From harnessing new talent, equipping our workforce with practical skills and qualifications, to businesses benefitting from having a motivated workforce trained to meet changing business needs, apprenticeships are more vital now than ever before. The recent financial support package from DfE to support businesses employing apprentices has endorsed the value of apprenticeships for businesses and has seen many successful applications across this scheme.
Belfast Met is an established partner of choice for employers in Northern Ireland, with its Centre for Skills and Apprenticeships playing a key role in designing, developing and delivering flexible employer-led solutions in many areas, including digital learning solutions and innovative approaches to recruitment and delivery.
Belfast Met has forged many exciting strategic partnerships with regional, national and international employers that offer a comprehensive range of solutions enabling employers to maximise the development of their workforce. By working closely with our employer partners, it delivers workforce development and apprenticeship solutions that are based on employer need and offer maximum return on investment.
Concentrix, as a global company, shares the College’s values of helping people to develop skills, ensuring that apprentices thrive in their chosen career pathway, and Belfast Met’s partnership with Concentrix fulfils the College’s ethos towards holistic learning, enabling apprentices to gain the necessary skills for career development.
Aidan Sloane, Head of Skills & Apprenticeships at Belfast Met comments: “Belfast Met’s partnership with Concentrix has been an incredibly positive and rewarding experience for the College. We have worked in close collaboration with the excellent team at Concentrix to develop and embed innovative apprenticeship solutions that meets the needs of their business.
“The apprenticeship programmes provide a unique and innovative opportunity to work with a pool of talented apprentices through the provision of tailored training that Belfast Met delivers. The College’s partnership with Concentrix enables employees to develop the requisite skills required to work in this exciting field and demonstrates how an apprenticeship model can work for employees and employers, as they work together to develop new ideas and continue to introduce new talent into industry with a global company.”
The technology-enabled company provides innovative digital outcomes for a wide range of businesses and the public sector, and is currently recruiting for positions in its Belfast offices, so there will be more opportunities for people to join the company and complete an apprenticeship through Belfast Met.
Sarah McKay, Senior Director, Service Delivery at Concentrix also commented on the partnership, “At Concentrix we are passionate about developing our staff and supporting them as they progress their career with us. That is why we are delighted to be working with Belfast Met on the NVQ apprenticeship programme, which really focuses on the key capabilities needed for our staff to improve their skills.
“The programme enables Concentrix staff to better understand and develop key skills which support enhanced customer service, client satisfaction, time management and relationship building. These are essential areas which will provide the foundation for our staff to take the next step in their career.”
Belfast Met and Concentrix have worked in partnership with flexibility, agility and dedication to co-design the apprenticeship programme, which has positively affected how Concentrix recruits and upskills within their business.
Many employers see growth and improvement in productivity in their business while at the same time are contributing to the skills needs of the Northern Ireland economy.
