- Morning coffee and registration
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09:00
Chair’s welcome and introduction Kevin Murphy Partner TLT LLP -
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The economic opportunity of net zero technologies for Northern Ireland
Jayne Brady
Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service - Regulatory outlook Regulatory outlook for energy in Northern Ireland John French Chief Executive Utility Regulator
- Sustainable energy Delivering a sustainable energy system for all Derek Hynes Managing Director NIE Networks
- Decarbonisation The future role of the gas network in a decarbonised economy Niall Martindale CEO firmus energy
- Energy security Energy security in an All-Island context Brian Ó Gallachóir Associate Vice-President of Sustainability University College Cork
- Question & answer session · Panel discussion
The Northern Ireland Energy Forum, now in its 22nd year, has firmly established itself as the annual conference for Northern Ireland’s energy sector and is a not-to-be missed event for anyone with an interest in the local energy industry. The 2023 Forum will once again bring together all the key players, both from within Northern Ireland and further afield, to focus on the most important aspects of energy policy and latest developments from across the sector. It provides a unique opportunity for all those operating within the sector to come together for networking and discussion.
Decarbonisation and the net zero opportunity
This year’s Northern Ireland Energy Forum will take place at a time of transition for the energy sector. The crisis in energy markets and the focus on energy security comes against a backdrop of the decarbonisation of the economy, amidst a worsening climate crisis. There is now an Energy Strategy and Action Plan for the transition to a decarbonised energy sector. The transition to a net zero carbon economy also offers an economic opportunity in developing the Net Zero Technology sector, with energy technology now a key aspect of the 10X Economic strategy for Northern Ireland.
The electricity sector has led the way on decarbonisation, mostly with the development of onshore wind and, more recently, solar. The focus is now moving to the development of offshore wind resources. The gas network sector has ambitious plans to decarbonise the gas network, initially with biomethane and then with hydrogen. This year’s Forum will bring all these issues together with a range of expert speakers.
Not-to-be-missed conference
The Northern Ireland Energy Forum is Northern Ireland’s longest established energy conference. The conference is the major annual event in the local energy calendar and one not to be missed. Key features of the event include:
- Update from energy regulator
- In-depth examination of key policy issues
- Overview of Northern Ireland’s major energy projects
- Attended by all the key players in the Northern Ireland energy sector
- Major networking opportunity
