Written Ministerial Statement
The content of this written ministerial statement is as received at the time from the Minister. It has not been subject to the official reporting (Hansard) process.
Department for the Economy: Update on Security of Electricity Supply
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Published on Thursday 6 November 2025
Dr Archibald (The Minister for the Economy): This statement is an update to the Ministerial Statement published on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
Our region's electricity demand is met by many sources including renewable generation, imports through our interconnectors and our three fossil fuel power stations at Kilroot, Ballylumford and Coolkeeragh.
Security of electricity supplies is a top priority for my Department and an operational requirement of the electricity system for the past three decades is to have large generators operating in a number of separate power stations - currently the specific requirement is at least two locations at all times.
My previous statement of 1 October outlined the circumstances this year where unprecedented outages at Coolkeeragh and Ballylumford meant that the two generating units at Kilroot were operated up to the point where the permitted annual run hour limits set by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency would have been reached.
On 30 September this year the Executive agreed that the permitted running time at Kilroot should be increased. This increase was based on advice given to my department that Coolkeeragh power station was expected to return to service in mid-October.
However, while Ballylumford is currently running normally, the outage at Coolkeeragh power station is now predicted to extend until at least mid-December. This means that the two generators at Kilroot continue to operate for more hours than initially forecast. For this reason, on 6 November the Executive agreed to further increase the permitted running hours for Kilroot.
This decision was reached in consideration of all available information and following considerable engagement between officials in my Department with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the system operator (SONI) and the Utility Regulator.
I would like to thank DAERA officials for their diligence and hard work in respect of this issue. SONI advise that the electricity system here continues to operate normally.
My officials will continue to monitor the situation as they work with all stakeholders including the operators of all our power stations to ensure that the system remains resilient both now and in the future.
