System Operator announces partnership with Involve
14th Apr 2025
SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) has appointed the UK’s leading public participation charity, Involve, as an independent partner to deliver a programme of enhanced community engagement as part of developing Northern Ireland’s electricity grid.
SONI is the Electricity Transmission System Operator for Northern Ireland. We bring electricity to every part of Northern Ireland and plan ahead for future growth. From our control centre in Belfast, we match supply with demand every second of every day by using the transmission system. We are also responsible for planning for the future of the electricity grid.
The Northern Ireland Energy Strategy sets a pathway for energy to 2030 and takes us towards the ultimate goal of delivering a net zero power system by 2050. These targets are unprecedented and ambitious in scale; reaching them will require a whole systems approach across government, industry and local communities.
To ensure grid readiness for the increased integration of renewable energy sources, SONI alongside our partners in NIE Networks, must build-out the electricity grid, either by upgrading existing assets or developing new grid in parts of Northern Ireland where it currently doesn’t exist at the scale now required.
Communities must be at the heart of planning these developments to the overall electricity grid. Meaningful engagement and partnership with communities set to host grid infrastructure is fundamental to the full delivery of Northern Ireland’s energy transition.
Last year, SONI published its revised Public Engagement Model which recognised ‘broadening public participation’ as a strategic pillar in enhancing public support for grid development. That is why leading public participation charity, Involve, was appointed as SONI’s delivery partner, to be an independent and trusted facilitator of community forums where those affected by plans to develop the grid in their local area can be involved at a deeper level than traditional consultation methods allow.
Commenting on the partnership with Involve, Senior Communications and Engagement Lead, Heather Henry-Wilson said:
“As SONI work to develop the grid to deliver a cleaner energy future, we want to hear from local people, beyond civic voices and local interest groups, to ensure that ordinary citizens have a voice in decisions that will impact the area in which they live.
“By introducing more deliberative methods of engagement into our grid development processes, our teams can better understand the concerns of local communities at the earliest stages, helping to build trust with those who live closest to new infrastructure which can in turn contribute to positive and timely planning outcomes.
“Host communities should feel that they have meaningful opportunities to engage with our teams now and into the future to help refine grid development plans.”
Rebekah McCabe, Involve (Head of Northern Ireland) added:
“There are big decisions we need to make in the face of a rapidly changing climate. These decisions, which can profoundly impact people’s everyday lives, must be guided by those they affect. We are delighted to be working with SONI to put that principle into action – ensuring that
people have a meaningful voice in shaping the infrastructure and planning decisions that will affect their lives, communities, and future generations.”
AAB close in on £2billion of assets under advice with acquisition of London-based Magus Wealth
14th Apr 2025
Read Article