Chairman of NI Water Dr Len O'Hagan has described renewable energy as an economic necessity for Northern Ireland.

NI Water is the biggest user of electricity in Northern Ireland – as the price the utility pays for that electricity is linked to the global price of gas its costs have soared in the last year..

According to the NI Water Chairman, creating an indigenous Renewable Energy System in Northern Ireland is no longer just an aspiration. It has become an economic necessity.

In an open letter to customers and other stakeholders, Dr. O’Hagan commented:

“Rather than being a source of stability guaranteeing security of supply, fossil fuel prices have now become highly volatile - and are likely to remain so for quite some time.

“The lesson for Northern Ireland and for organisations such as NI Water is increasingly clear. Both the energy crisis and the need to address climate change mean we have to end our dependence on fossil fuels as soon as possible.”

In November last year at the time of the COP 26 Climate Change Conference the water company published its Power of Water report setting out how it could act as a catalyst for the transition.

Dr. O’Hagan said the work the company had done since then had continued to underline that potential, particularly in the following three areas:

Wind power - as the second largest landowner in Northern Ireland the firm could build wind farms which could meet much of its own electricity needs – thereby freeing up capacity on the network and lessening the need for fossil fuels to act as back up to ensure security of supply - as well as stabilising prices.

Electrolysis – the company has continued to progress its pioneering work on electrolysis which uses water to produce green hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen could be used to help Northern Ireland’s bus network and heavy goods vehicles transition from diesel, whilst the oxygen could increase capacity of at least some of its treatment works. This would in turn, allow some towns and businesses to expand.

Following a successful pilot project, a larger demonstrator model is about to be installed at the company’s Belfast works.

Reservoirs as energy stores

The utility is investigating how its reservoirs could act as energy stores for periods when the key resources for renewable energy - wind and solar - aren’t available. The stored water could be used to create hydro power as and when it is needed as back-up.

Dr. O’Hagan goes on to suggest there are two other essential ingredients for Northern Ireland to make the transition to a Renewable Energy System - collaboration and digitalisation. According to the NI Chairman, the need to address climate change is breaking down the old boundaries between utilities.

He continued:

“Our roles - whether it is to provide a water and waste water service, transport, electricity, or gas - will, of course, remain distinct, but, increasingly, we can see how we can help each other provide that service - and do so in a way which makes economic sense for Northern Ireland, as well as helping us decarbonise.”

He concludes that this will however mean acting with urgency, saying:

“The surge in energy prices has underlined the price of standing still. The future will no longer take care of itself. We have to create it - and start doing so now to guarantee the public services we all depend on.”