Northern Ireland Energy Forum 2024
The Northern Ireland Energy Forum, now in its 23rd year, has firmly established itself as the annual conference for Northern Ireland’s energy sector and is a not-to-be-missed event for anyone with an interest in the local energy industry. The 2024 Forum will once again bring together all the key players, from Northern Ireland and further afield, to focus on the most important aspects of energy policy and the latest developments across the sector. It provides a unique opportunity for all those operating within the sector to come together for networking and discussion.
Decarbonising the Northern Ireland economy
The decarbonisation of the economy is one of the key priorities set out by Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, MLA. Decarbonisation of energy use has become a priority for all governments amidst a worsening climate crisis. The market turmoil of recent years and the anxiety over energy security has only accelerated the drive towards developing indigenous renewable energy sources. The Minister has announced a ban on oil and gas licensing and will focus on the urgent need for delivery in electricity, heat and transport areas. In electricity, the first RESS auction is planned for 2025 with 2 GW needed to achieve the 2023 target of 80% of electricity from renewable sources. The reform of electricity connection policy is underway and the sector will see the introduction of smart metering. The use of battery storage is also accelerating with utility scale storage projects now coming on stream. In heat, the focus for the sector is now on the development of biomethane, heat networks and geothermal sources. Transport will see an increase in electrification and the development of a green hydrogen sector offers scope to decarbonise the sector and to also deliver a long term storage solution for the energy system as a whole. The 2024 Forum comes at a time when developments are accelerating right across the energy sector and will bring together all these issues with a range of expert speakers.
Where
Titanic Belfast
When
Tuesday 17th
September
2024 themes
- Decarbonising the Northern Ireland economy
- Regulatory outlook for the energy sector
- The future of the electricity grid
- Heat networks as part of a just transition to net zero
- Planning and environmental aspects of energy projects
- The role of wind energy in achieving 80 by 2030
- Meeting the need for long term energy storage
- Developing a biomethane sector in Northern Ireland
- Skills for the energy transition
- Developing a hydrogen economy
Event Speakers
Speakers confirmed so far include:
Ian Snowden
Department for the Economy
John French
Utility Regulator
Katie Petherbridge
National Gas UK
Richard Rodgers
Department for the Economy
Derek Hynes
NIE Networks
Niall Martindale
firmus energy
Andrew Ryan
TLT Solicitors
David Rooney
Queen’s University Belfast
Senior representative
Stream Bioenergy
Edel Creery
NIE Networks
Kevin Murphy
TLT Solicitors
Yvonne Murphy
Irish District Energy Association
Christian Calvillo
University of Strathclyde
Niamh Kenny
North Channel Wind
Senior Representative
Senior Representative
Programme
Registration & morning coffee
Chair’s welcome and introduction
Kevin Murphy, Partner TLT
The path to net zero: secure, affordable, clean
Ian Snowden, Permanent SecretaryDepartment for the Economy
Regulatory outlook for energy in Northern Ireland
John French, Chief ExecutiveUtility Regulator
Delivering a sustainable energy system for all
Derek Hynes, Managing DirectorNIE Networks
Decarbonising the natural gas network
Niall Martindale, CEO firmus energy
Floating wind: the next generation of opportunity
Niamh Kenny, Project Director North Channel Wind
Questions & answers / Panel discussion
Morning coffee / networking break
environment
Planning, environment and delivering energy projects: The pressure is on
Andrew Ryan, Partner TLT Solicitors
Transforming the electricity transmission grid to facilitate 80% renewable electricity by 2030
Senior Representative SONI
Decarbonised and affordable heat as part of a just transition to net zero
Yvonne Murphy, Chief Executive Officer Irish District Energy Association
Providing long-term solutions to energy security, affordability and climate change
Senior RepresentativeSSE
Labour supply constraints in decarbonising the UK economy
Christian Calvillo, Research Fellow, Centre for Energy PolicyUniversity of Strathclyde
Questions & answers / Panel discussion
Networking lunch
Chair: Edel Creery, Head of CommunicationsNIE Networks
Hydrogen: Supporting clean growth and energy security
Katie Petherbridge, Innovation Delivery ManagerNational Gas UK
Biogas: Delivering a secure and sustainable clean energy future
Senior RepresentativeStream Bioenergy
energy storage
Energy storage: the linchpin of the energy transition
Susan Taylor, Senior Analyst, Batteries and Energy StorageS&P Global (invited)
Questions & answers / Panel discussion
PANEL DISCUSSION: SHAPING NORTHERN IRELAND’S FUTURE ENERGY LANDSCAPE
Richard Rodgers, Deputy Secretary, Head of Energy, Department for the Economy
Professor David Rooney, Research Centre in Sustainable Energy, Queen’s University Belfast
Patricia McGrath, Head of Project Development, ABO Energy (invited)
Chairman’s summary and conference close
Sponsorship & Exhibition opportunities
There are a limited number of opportunities for interested organisations to partner with the 2024 Northern Ireland Energy Forum. This is an excellent way for organisations to showcase their expertise and raise their profile with a key audience of senior policy and decision makers from across Northern Ireland’s energy sector. For further information on how your organisation can benefit, contact Olivia Ross on 028 9261 9933 or email Olivia.Ross@agendaNi.com
Event Venue
Event venue location info and gallery
Titanic Belfast
1 Olympic Way
Queen’s Road
Titanic Quarter
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT3 9EP
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