PRESS RELEASE
17 May 2023
GLOBAL EXPERTS TO GATHER IN BELFAST FOR NI ENERGY SUMMIT
The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) has today launched the inaugural Northern Ireland Energy Summit – a one-day conference that will see global experts, government and energy industry leaders gather in Belfast this June.
Keynote speakers at the Summit, which is supported by corporate law firm A&L Goodbody, NIE Networks, SONI and Transmission Investment will include:
- Senior US government official;
- Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service;
- Kersti Berge, Director of Energy Climate Change, Scottish Executive;
- Dr Xavier Garcia Casals, Senior Expert on Energy Transition, International Renewable Energy Agency;
- Professor Mark Ferguson, Chairman of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Board and former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland; and
- Professor David Rooney, Professor of Chemical Engineering,Queen’s University Belfast.
Taking place in the ICC Belfast on Wednesday 21 June, the Northern Ireland Energy Summit will be chaired by BBC Economics and Business Editor John Campbell.
The event will focus on building an informed consensus on how best to take Northern Ireland forward in meeting its renewable energy targets and net-zero ambitions, whilst driving 10X economic growth across innovation, sustainability and inclusion.
Trevor Haslett, Chair of CASE, commented: “The aim of this important event is to showcase the potential which Northern Ireland has to lead the world in energy transformation, creating economic growth opportunities in net zero technologies, helping to make society healthier and more prosperous.”
The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) is an industry-led sustainable energy research centre. Based at QUB, it also partners with Ulster University and The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute.
Mike Brennan, Permanent Secretary of the Department for the Economy said: “The Northern Ireland Energy Summit is an important and exciting milestone in the delivery of the Path to Net Zero Energy Strategy’s commitment to growing our green economy. This Summit brings together key players – international and domestic – investors, industry, academia and government who are collaborating to deliver the substantial economic benefits involved in repositioning how we develop, generate and consume energy.
“The delivery of a net zero energy system for Northern Ireland is driving growth in our 10X economy focusing on innovation, sustainability and inclusion.”
The Northern Ireland Energy Summit will also provide delegates the opportunity to input and shape the ‘Pathway to a Renewable Future’ policy paper, which is being drafted by CASE.
Delegate passes for the Northern Ireland Energy Summit are now on sale. For more information and to register for the event, please visit: www.nienergysummit.com.
ENDS
More information:
Barry Turley, Lanyon Group
T: 028 9018 3242
M: 07734 256 318
Notes to Editors
- Photo caption, Pictured (L-R) are: Keith Morrison, Project Director, Transmission Investment; Alan Campbell, Managing Director, SONI; Mike Brennan, Permanent Secretary, Department for the Economy; Ronan McKeown, Customer and Market Services Director, NIE Networks; Trevor Haslett, Chairman, CASE; Martin Doherty, Centre Manager, CASE; Micaela Diver, Partner, A&L Goodbody, Mark Stockdale, Partner, A&L Goodbody.
- The Summit policy paper – ‘Pathway to a Renewable Future’ – is being developed by CASE with input from a range of public and private sector organisations. Delegates will have the opportunity to contribute in advance of and on the day of the event.
- A note on our supporting partners:
- The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) is an industry-led sustainable energy research centre. Through the Green Innovation Challenge Fund, CASE supports collaborative research and development (R&D) in sustainable energy. CASE aims to bridge the gap between industry research needs and academic research offerings. CASE’s work helps to position Northern Ireland at the forefront of the global sustainable energy market by integrating leading research into the local industrial base for the benefit of the business community and the wider economy.
- Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks) is the owner of the electricity transmission and distribution networks in Northern Ireland, employing over 1,400 people and transporting electricity to over 910,000 customers including homes, businesses and farms. Every year, NIE Networks invests around £100million in the network – consisting of 2,300 kilometres of transmission network, 47,000 kilometres of distribution network and 340 major substations. Acquired by ESB in December 2010, NIE Networks operates as an independent organisation with its own Board and management teams and separate regulation via the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland.
- A leading corporate law firm in Northern Ireland, ALG offers a combination of local market expertise and knowledge, with the strength and depth of an international law firm. ALG’s Belfast office works with domestic and international companies and government bodies in relation to their business activities in Northern Ireland.
The firm provides the full range of corporate legal services including corporate, banking and financial services, commercial property and litigation. ALG’s Energy, Infrastructure and Natural Resources team is unrivalled in the Irish and Northern Irish market. The firm’s all-island team of specialist lawyers has decades of expertise, deep sectoral knowledge, and a commercial approach which combine to give clients the leading edge in the market. ALG ensures that its clients keep pace with market and regulatory developments so that they are well positioned to manage challenges and exploit market opportunities. The firm provides solution orientated advice to utilities, international energy companies, financial institutions, private equity, infrastructure funds, sponsors and government. ALG’s Belfast and Dublin office teams work closely together in providing fully integrated legal services across the island of Ireland.
- SONI is the Transmission System Operator (TSO) for Northern Ireland, managing the transmission system, or the “Grid” as it’s better known, second-by-second, each and every day, from its Control Centre in Belfast. In addition to SONI’s role in the present, it has a critical and central role in the delivery of Northern Ireland’s Energy Strategy and climate action ambitions through the upgrading of Northern Ireland’s energy infrastructure to facilitate a cleaner energy future.
- Transmission Investment provide specialist services to investors in high voltage electricity assets covering technical and commercial assurance, and development, construction and operations management. Transmission Investment are particularly active in the transmission of offshore renewable energy (OFTOs), the development of international electricity interconnectors and grid stability projects. Working with investor partners, they develop, procure, construct, own and operate transmission assets.
