Northern Ireland Energy Forum

The Northern Ireland Energy Forum, now in its seventh year, took place on Thursday, 12 November 2009 in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.  This Forum has firmly established itself as the annual conference event for Northern Ireland's energy sector.

The conference, which was sponsored by Carson McDowell, Phoenix Energy Limited  and the Energy Saving Trust, brought together delegates from a broad range of stakeholders including local and central government, industry and voluntary bodies to examine the key issues facing the energy sector in Northern Ireland.

Delivering the keynote address at the conference, the Enterprise Trade and Investment Minister, Arelene Foster MLA, said "Global agreement will only work if action is taken at the local level. Climate change brings dangers but it also brings opportunities. If Northern Ireland is to prosper we will need to grasp those opportunities." The Minister said a 40% renewable electricity target, set out in the Strategic Energy Framework, had been received positively during the consultation process.

Others speakers included Iain Osborne, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, David Strahan, Director, Phoenix Supply Limited, Andrew Ryan, Associate, Carson McDowell, Tony Doherty, DG TREN, European Commission, Dermot Byrne, Chief Executive, EirGrid and Kirsty Hamilton, Associate Fellow, Chatham House.