14/08/2025
Alliance Raise Issue Of 'Wasted' Wind Energy
Alliance Housing spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said she is "astounded" that £94 million worth of excess wind energy was wasted in Quarters 1 and 2 of 2025.
According to information published by SONI, 306,197MWh of wind energy, which is enough to heat 102 million water tanks, was wasted this year.
The Strangford MLA said that instead of allowing clean, green energy to go to waste, it should be used to provide efficient heating in homes across Northern Ireland. She called for the Minister for Communities to work with the Minister for the Economy to make the best use of this energy and reduce household energy bills.
Ms Armstrong highlighted that the Housing Executive and EnergyCloud are already trialling technology that uses excess wind energy to heat water tanks, a move which she said "would go a long way in addressing fuel poverty faced by many households."
She concluded that it is time for government departments to "synchronise actions and recognised the potential of renewable energy" to heat homes, schools, and hospitals to help tackle the cost of living crisis.
According to information published by SONI, 306,197MWh of wind energy, which is enough to heat 102 million water tanks, was wasted this year.
The Strangford MLA said that instead of allowing clean, green energy to go to waste, it should be used to provide efficient heating in homes across Northern Ireland. She called for the Minister for Communities to work with the Minister for the Economy to make the best use of this energy and reduce household energy bills.
Ms Armstrong highlighted that the Housing Executive and EnergyCloud are already trialling technology that uses excess wind energy to heat water tanks, a move which she said "would go a long way in addressing fuel poverty faced by many households."
She concluded that it is time for government departments to "synchronise actions and recognised the potential of renewable energy" to heat homes, schools, and hospitals to help tackle the cost of living crisis.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.