‘Boost in green economy needed’

The Department for the Economy’s strategy has gone out for consultation and includes targets such as zero-carbon energy by 2050. Ms Sugden said the opportunities that came with such a strategy should be exploited and changes made as soon as possible.

“We need an ambitious energy strategy that both reduces carbon emissions while also providing the country with a reliable and renewable energy supply,” Ms Sugden said. “This forthcoming strategy gives us the opportunity to do just that and this opportunity must be grabbed with both hands.

“Currently, 50 per cent of our energy in Northern Ireland comes from renewables – a great achievement, but one that simply paves the way towards meeting even greater targets.

“The changes that will be necessary to achieve these targets must not come at a cost to consumers, but be done in a way that shares the benefits of wind, wave, solar, biomass and other renewable technologies. The long-term savings – not to mention energy security – are potentially enormous if we no longer have to buy dirty fossil fuels that have to be dug out the ground, shipped thousands of miles and incinerated in power stations.”

Ms Sugden, who sits on the Assembly’s Economy Committee, praised both the tone and ambition of the energy strategy.

She also welcomed a commitment to the creation of jobs in the green economy.

“Even prior to the coronavirus pandemic I argued that the green economy could form a major part of boosting the economy of Northern Ireland,” she said.

“The need for this is now even greater as we experience unprecedented economic challenges, while also striving to meet emissions targets.

“In the decades ahead we will see changes to how various industries operate and how we live our lives.

“But as long as the necessary support is given by government and people are assisted with the necessary changes, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”