NEA NI response to Department for the Economy’s Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland — Consultation on Policy Options

NEA welcome the opportunity to respond to the Department for Economy’s consultation on policy options for a new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland.

For many households, the cost of energy has relatively little impact on how much energy is used in the home. However, for households living on a low income, energy usage makes up a significant portion of the household expenditure. Northern Ireland continues to have amongst the lowest levels of household income across the UK and the highest weekly household expenditure on energy of any UK region. Taken in conjunction with challenging economic conditions as well as the ongoing global pandemic, many families continue to face challenges with meeting their energy costs. Households on lower incomes and vulnerable consumers in Northern Ireland therefore perhaps stand to gain more from a just energy transition than any other grouping. However, this group is equally at risk should the new energy strategy fail to deliver for their benefit.