Progress towards the main goals outlined in NI’s Energy Strategy has fallen significantly behind schedule, despite around £107 million being spent since 2020.

This is according to new report released today, 21 October, by Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia Carville. The report reviews the Department for the Economy’s implementation of the Energy Strategy, which was launched in December 2021 to outline a long-term plan for achieving net zero carbon emissions and ensuring affordability across NI. The strategy set out three major targets to be met by 2030.

These include a target to save a total of 8,000 GWh of energy savings by 2030. Just 90 GWh of savings were reported in March 2025 (around 1% of the target).

Against a target of at least 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources, the amount reported in March was 45%.

The report found that the department has spent an estimated £107m on the Energy Strategy and related initiatives since 2020.

This includes £85m on capital projects.

The report also identifies "significant flaws" in how the strategy has been implemented, particularly in relation to the department's annual Energy Strategy Action Plans. These include a "lack of clarity" around planned actions and a "lack of precise detail" on when some actions would be completed, the actual work planned, or specific and measurable outcomes.

A lack of interim targets or milestones in the strategy to help determine the pace of progress towards meeting key targets was noted.

Commenting on the findings, Northern Ireland's Comptroller and Auditor General, Dorinnia Carville said: "The Energy Strategy has a pivotal role in ensuring Northern Ireland meets its ambitions and obligations in relation to net zero, energy efficiency and tackling climate change. Successful implementation requires good governance and effective oversight, and this report highlights concerning shortcomings in these areas. It has been difficult to assess whether the significant expenditure incurred to date represents value for money, and there is a risk that key targets will not be met.

"We welcome more recent changes to the Department's reporting arrangements, which will help provide greater clarity. The Department committed to carrying out a strategic update review of the Energy Strategy in 2025. It is vital that this review is carried out and I would urge the Department to action this report's recommendations to improve implementation of Northern Ireland’s Energy Strategy over the next five years."