The report also recommends a far more substantial energy efficiency programme, that home heating oil be included in the remit of the Utility Regulator (as an interim measure), and that objectives to reduce fuel poverty and decarbonise energy supply be considered just as important as security of supply.
Speaking at the report’s launch Lord Whitty said: “Although Northern Ireland’s energy is affected greatly by global markets, policy in Great Britain, relations with the Republic of Ireland and the European Union, much of the energy policy levers rest with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Utility Regulator.
“Specifically I have considered the issues of affordability, sustainability and security of supply, which are different but cross-related and interdependent, and because of this my report attempts to bring together these disparate players and issues to provide a coherent strategic framework.”
The Consumer Council’s chief executive, Antoinette McKeown, said: “The Consumer Council has been concerned with the considerable and rising proportion of people’s income that is swallowed up by heating and lighting their homes and made speaking out on fuel poverty our number one priority. We were delighted to see the inclusion of ‘preventative measures’ to tackle fuel poverty incorporated into the final Programme for Government last week, and believe Lord Whitty’s report can now add real value when it comes to developing an action plan for the NI Executive, as well as a coherent and long term energy policy that will deliver maximum benefit for NI consumers.”