SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland), Northern Ireland’s Transmission System Operator, has launched a consultation on its new draft multi-year Strategy.

The publication of the draft Strategy 2025-2031 for consultation follows an extensive period of engagement with stakeholders across society, industry, and statutory partners, including a large programme of research with consumers.

The grid operator is now seeking views on the draft Strategy ahead of its publication later this year. The consultation is open for 8 weeks and closes on Friday 8 November at 17:00. Responses can be made through SONI’s Consultation Portal here.

SONI’s next Strategy and Price Control submission will be delivered in the context of Northern Ireland’s 2030 statutory renewable energy targets and the grid operator is seeking to prioritise a programme of work which supports the delivery of government policy in a way which balances the needs of all its partners.

Speaking about the consultation, SONI Chief Executive Alan Campbell, said:

“As we reach the middle of the decade, SONI is entering into a new, exciting phase on our journey as Northern Ireland’s Transmission System Operator. Our draft Strategy 2025-2031 sets out how we intend to play our part in a transformative whole energy system and whole society effort to meet Northern Ireland’s net zero ambitions and realise the potential of a cleaner, affordable, more secure energy future for everyone.

“We know we can’t do this by ourselves. Our new multi-year draft Strategy is a vital opportunity to engage meaningfully with partners to align on a compelling vision for the future, the strategic investment priorities required to get us there and how we accelerate the delivery of this collective vision together.”

Once finalised, the grid operator’s new Strategy will fundamentally shape the development of a comprehensive new multi-year Business Plan which forms the basis of SONI’s funding submission to the Utility Regulator for its next Price Control period (SRP26).

As an independently licenced Transmission System Operator, who does not own any assets or generate or sell electricity, the System Operator hopes to utilise its expertise and experience as a trusted adviser to policymakers in supporting Northern Ireland’s net zero journey.

Director of Strategy and Regulation, Kevin O’Neill, said:

“This draft Strategy, developed in collaboration with our key partners and after an extensive programme of engagement, sets out our mission, values and strategic delivery objectives. It provides a strategic framework to drive the development and delivery of our detailed multi-year Business Plan with purpose, ambition and integrity. We warmly welcome the views of all our partners and stakeholders through this consultation.

“Over the coming months, we will undertake a further extensive programme of engagement, underpinned by the vision and direction set out in this Strategy, to develop our comprehensive SRP26 Business Plan. While the funding made available to SONI makes up a very small part of the electricity bill, we have a much bigger impact on the energy landscape in Northern Ireland and we understand the importance of offering excellent value for money for consumers.

“By engaging extensively and consistently with our partners and stakeholders at the earliest possible stage, we hope to instil the trust and confidence of consumers that their investment in SONI is an investment in a world-class Transmission System Operator working for everyone in Northern Ireland.”