Northern Irelands Flexibility Needs Assessment Report 2026 published

Northern Irelands Flexibility Needs Assessment Report 2026 published 14 September 2026 The Utility Regulator has published Northern Ireland’s first Flexibility Needs Assessment , undertaken under new EU electricity market requirements. The assessment highlights key drivers of future flexibility needs, identifies potential barriers to flexibility and sets out recommendations and actions to support Northern Ireland’s progress towards a decarbonised energy system. Given the technical nature of the report, it will be of particular interest to electricity industry participants, renewable developers, flexibility providers, policymakers and consumer representatives. The assessment highlights the growing importance of flexibility as intermittent renewable generation increases and identifies the key factors influencing future flexibility needs. These include the timely delivery of network infrastructure, the pace of renewable energy deployment and the need to balance decarbonisation objectives with affordability for consumers. Key findings include: This assessment represents the first Flexibility Needs Assessment undertaken under the requirements of the Electricity Regulation and will be repeated on a biennial basis. As this is the first cycle, a number of methodological limitations have been identified. Feedback from ACER, expected in 2027, together with stakeholder input and lessons learned from this initial cycle, will help inform the next assessment which is due to be completed by July 2028. Copies of all documents can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.