NIE Networks is the owner of the electricity transmission and distribution network in Northern Ireland, transporting electricity to over 895,000 customers including homes, businesses and farms.
- Managing director: Paul Stapleton
- Pre-tax profit: £87.1m
- Turnover: £297m
- Employment: 1,208
- Pay bill: £74.2m
Through the employment of 1,200 employees and payments to local businesses and authorities, the company says it contributed over £160m to the Northern Ireland economy in 2021. NIE Networks is owned by Republic of Ireland utility company ESB, which is majority owned by the Irish Government.
As well as being an accredited Investors in People Gold Company for almost a decade, NIE Networks also holds a Bronze Diversity Charter Mark. Attracting female talent into the energy industry is a key focus for the organisation and since 2015 over 20% of graduates and 25% of sponsored scholars joining the company have been female.
Climate change and the drive towards a net zero carbon future is creating significant growth in the adoption of low carbon technologies connecting to the network and in turn major change is required in how the electricity industry manages and operates the network.
With 45% of the total annual electricity consumption in Northern Ireland now being generated from renewable sources, NIE Networks has played a critical role by providing the network connections for the renewable sources and has invested £365m in the network to facilitate their generation.
NIE Networks says it is proactively working towards a 2050 net zero economy and is a member of the Department for the Economy’s Energy Strategy Electricity Stakeholder Group.
The company says that the pivotal role electricity will play in the decarbonisation of heat and transport as we move towards a net zero economy will place significant pressure on an electricity network infrastructure designed to manage a different level and type of demand.
Managing these new challenges will require significant network investment and reinforcement. But NIE adds that additional capacity can also be achieved through leveraging the existing network assets through applying innovative technologies and facilitating future flexible connections for both distributed generation and demand customers. NIE Networks says it’s working on the innovations that are required to facilitate further renewable generation connection, while ensuring a continued safe and reliable supply for all customers. It aims to integrate smart technologies and customer-based solutions into business as usual work.
NIE Networks
120 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 7HT
Tel: 03457 643643
www.nienetworks.co.uk
