SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has welcomed engagement with Northern Ireland Electricity Networks.
NIE representatives met with the SDLP Opposition team at Stormont on Monday.
A wide range of issues were discussed including electricity supply, renewable energy, investment in infrastructure, electric vehicle charging points and rural accessibility.
Mid Ulster MLA Mr McGlone said, “The SDLP Opposition team had a very fruitful discussion with NIE Managing Director Derek Hynes and Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Edel Creery at Stormont on Monday. One of the main issues discussed was reliability around electricity supply. We thanked the NIE team and their staff for their efforts in keeping people connected, particularly during the recent spell of bad weather. We also commended the NIE website which does a good job of keeping people updated and asked if this could be improved upon in terms of updates and time-frames.
“We also raised the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in rural areas where people who are interested in moving to an electric car are unable to do so because the infrastructure just doesn’t exist locally. If we serious about tackling the climate crisis and reducing harmful emissions then we need to ensure that those who want to avail of electric vehicles can do in an affordable way.
“Focusing on the climate emergency we also discussed investment in renewable energy sources and how much of the North’s electricity is currently generated by renewable energy. I welcome the NIE’s commitment to creating a net zero economy through the transformation of electricity networks and their determination to work with local communities throughout that transition, which includes job creation and reducing consumer costs.”
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