§ Lord Holme of Cheltenhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
What socio-economic criteria have been used to judge current potential electricity generation policies within Northern Ireland, including the Scottish interconnector. [HL228]
§ Lord DubsThe construction of generating capacity is a matter for the private sector subject to normal planning constraints. In addition the independent regulator must satisfy himself that NIE, in contracting for any proposed new capacity, will not breach its licence obligations. He has concluded that the terms of the Northern Ireland-Scotland interconnector supply agreement are not in breach of NIE's economic purchasing obligation.
§ Lord Holme of Cheltenhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps are being taken to ensure that the Northern Ireland Assembly will be consulted before any decisions on electricity generation projects are taken. [HL229]
§ Lord DubsThe construction of generation capacity is a matter for the private sector, subject to the normal planning constraints. Energy policy in Northern Ireland is a transferred matter and, as such, will become the responsibility of the Assembly following devolution.