UFU urges action on support for renewables investment

The Ulster Farmers' Union has expressed its frustration and concern at the delay to the final decision on the proposed closure of the Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation (NIRO) for small scale wind turbines.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Jun 2016, 18:08 BST

Updated 25th Aug 2016, 19:28 BST

UFU rural enterprise chairman, Gary Hawkes, said a decision was now an imperative.

“The consultation period on this ended six weeks ago.

“Despite consensus from the industry on a way forward, and letters to both the DfE minister and the chair of the committee at Stormont, the Department is yet to publish a decision.”

With the Assembly’s summer recess now just days away, he said the issue had taken on a new urgency.

“If the legislation is not taken forward before then, the delay until the Assembly sits again in September will put further pressure on the small scale renewable sector in Northern Ireland,’’ he said.

Mr Hawkes concluded, “The UFU is urging DfE to progress the NIRO closure legislation for small scale wind before the summer recess.

“This will protect investments already in place and give much needed certainty to farmers and landowners,’’ he said.

Ulster Farmers' Union UFU