The Utility Regulator (UR) has published an information paper on Northern Ireland’s first Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA). As part of a new EU-wide process, Northern Ireland must assess the electricity system flexibility required over the next decade at both system and network levels to enable the transition to a decarbonised system.
This obligation is set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/943 and reinforced by Regulation (EU) 2024/1747, which highlights the importance of forward-looking planning to ensure security of supply as renewable generation continues to grow.
The FNA report, due for publication in July 2026, will draw on data and analysis from both Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks and the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI). The findings will support the development of indicative national objectives for non-fossil flexibility.
The UR welcomes stakeholders’ views on the applicability of the market barriers set out in the Annex to non-fossil flexibility in Northern Ireland, as well as on the potential role of digitalisation in addressing these barriers.
The UR will take into consideration views received at the email addresses below by 3 June 2026 when finalising the FNA and its conclusions:
Claire O’Kane: Claire.OKane@uregni.gov.uk
Daniel Squires: Daniel.Squires@uregni.gov.uk
Northern Ireland's first Flexibility Needs Assessment information paper