The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has welcomed the introduction of an “affordable” grid connection charge in Northern Ireland.
The new arrangements were introduced by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald today (Thursday 1 July).
The union said the new arrangements would provide “fairer and more affordable electricity grid connections for rural communities” by spreading the costs of grid enhancement across all consumers.
Commenting on the advertisement, revolution Vice President Glen Cody said: “A fairer distribution of the costs of connecting the electricity grid is something the UFU has been pressing the Department for the Economy for some time in an attempt to help boost the rural economy and allow farmers to invest more in their farm businesses.
“This new arrangement will partly remove the current financial disadvantages faced by farmers and rural businesses who want to increase their electricity capacity, making electricity grid connections for both import and export more accessible.
“It is particularly useful for farmers seeking to upgrade power to three phase, enhance the electricity infrastructure that supplies their farms, or invest in small renewable energy projects.”
Three-phase power is the standard method for generating and distributing AC electricity.
It uses three overlapping electrical currents transmitted over three separate wires, allowing a continuous and constant flow of electricity and is effective for heavy commercial and industrial loads.
Cost ceiling
The new measures will be subject to a cost cap, which is set at £1,000/kVA for demand/import, while the generation/export cap is £200/kW.
The Vice President called for this “high cost ceiling” to be kept under review during the early stages of the new arrangements.
Ulster Farmers’ Union Vice-President Glen Cody. Source: Yufu
“It is important to monitor the high cost cap, especially for export, in these early stages of the new arrangements,” Cuddy said.
“We want this to have a real impact on farmers who want to export but cannot because of the cost of connecting to the network, but there is a risk that the high cost cap will be too low and will prevent more viable agricultural projects.”
Coady said the UFU would continue to monitor the new arrangements, including the impact of the current cap, the application process, and its implementation to ensure that it genuinely enhances employment opportunities for rural farmers and supports inclusive rural growth.
