Engagement with civic society central to delivering energy transition

Engaging with local communities is essential to our work. We always consult with residents, landowners and stakeholders when we deliver updates to the electricity grid.

From our control centre in Belfast, we manage the electricity grid to ensure that power can flow safely, securely, and reliably from where it is generated to where it is needed. In addition to managing the grid in real time, our expert engineers are responsible for planning ahead to ensure our energy infrastructure meets the needs of the future.

In short, SONI are required to balance Northern Ireland's future energy ambition with today's needs. As we work to upgrade our power system to bring about a cleaner energy future, we must ensure the security of supply for homes, farms, and businesses.

Our climate targets require significant upgrades to the current electricity grid to ensure supply can meet growing demand and that renewable generation is maximised. To do this, we need to build new electricity infrastructure in communities right across Northern Ireland - but we don’t plan for this in isolation.

We are committed to ensuring that the voice of stakeholders is heard and considered when we are shaping our plans. But we recognise that we need to broaden our engagement to make sure everyone has a voice in this change. This is why SONI is further strengthening its engagement and collaboration with civic society to support the delivery of Northern Ireland's climate action ambitions.

Enhancing engagement with organisations who work closely with and represent the needs of local communities is crucially important in our journey to delivering a stronger electricity grid that meets the needs of communities today and into the future.

SONI Senior Communications and Engagement Lead, Heather Henry-Wilson, said:

"SONI's grid development process is consultative, collaborative, and deliberative and we already go far beyond what is required by planning policy. We engage with local communities, elected representatives, landowners and industry partners on a daily basis across all our projects. Our goal is to find the best possible solution by understanding the views and concerns of our stakeholders and giving them the opportunity to shape our plans.

"To support the timely delivery of Northern Ireland's climate targets, we are redoubling our efforts to ensure local communities, and the organisations that represent their interests, are at the heart of everything we do. That's why now is the time to publish a new, enhanced Public Engagement Model to reaffirm our commitment to working together towards a cleaner, more secure energy future."

You can read our Public Engagement Model here.