Council visit the SONI control room

SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) who ensure a safe, secure, efficient and reliable operation of

the high voltage electricity system in Northern Ireland.

The council members visited the SONI Control Room, based in the company’s headquarters in the

Castlereagh Hills on Thursday 16th June.

During the briefing the councillors were updated on the progress of SONI’s priority project, the North South Interconnector. The project, which is currently with the planning authorities, will connect the electricity grids between Northern Ireland and the Republic and is vital for the growth of the North Coast Economy.

SONI General Manager, Robin McCormick explained: “While the north south interconnector will be some 60 miles from Coleraine, it will be critical to growing the local economy. We know that the North Coast is leading the way with plans for a high-tech enterprize zone and that it is an area which could be attractive to foreign investment and the North South Interconnector will be the lynchpin to ensuring that the North Coast has the electricity supply it needs to meet demand and accelerate economic growth. One question that investors will be asking – is there a secure supply of electricity? Currently there is not and the much needed North South Interconnector is the only way forward and the only answer to this question.”

Richard Baker, Chief Executive of The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “I would like to extend my thanks to SONI for the opportunity to visit the control room and experience exactly how the transmission of electricity works.

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“It was interesting to learn how the 24/7 operation runs and understand

how we get the electricity we all take for granted every day.

“From Council’s perspective, the visit further reinforced the need for investment in Northern Ireland’s

energy infrastructure, without which, economic development and specifically industrial growth (including the digital economy) is disadvantaged at this moment”