SDLP Foyle MLA and Energy spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin
Said the Foyle MLA: “I welcome the warm words of Economy Minister Diane Dodds about the positive prospects for a green economy.
“But I regret that her economic recovery plan proposed only £20m to stimulate the green economy, compared with figures ten times that size in Scotland.
“There seems to be a mismatch between ambition and delivery. Real commitment to the expansion of the green economy could provide a substantial number of jobs in Northern Ireland.
“While minister Dodds’ report repeats previous commitments to achieving net zero emissions in energy by 2050, I am seriously concerned as to whether the steps suggested, and the speed, are adequate to achieve this.
“A lot is being assumed on the role of hydrogen and biofuels in providing a revolution in energy systems.
“But it is not clear that this is practical on this scale. Meanwhile, there is too little focus on energy sources used widely elsewhere, including geothermal.
“We need a massive investment in retrofitting homes in the social and private housing sectors, which needs greater attention than it has received in this report.
“That retrofitting will make our homes more energy efficient and lower cost, while creating well paid, skilled jobs.
“I do welcome the report’s proposal to support consumers in navigating their way through a complex zero carbon energy market.
“This is a proposal the SDLP made in our submission to the original consultation.
“But in this, and the rest of the department’s ideas, we need to see the detail of how it will be delivered. Without that, the important ambitions risk ending in failure.”
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