Lisburn & Castlereagh City Councillors 'Switched On' After Visit to SONI Control Room
February 16, 2016
Senior representatives from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC), have attended a meeting with SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) who run the electricity grid.
The council members visited the SONI Control Room, based in the company’s headquarters in the Castlereagh Hills on Thursday 11th February.
During the briefing the councillors heard from the engineers who work 24/7 to bring electricity from power stations, wind farms and other sources, through the electricity grid, to where it is needed in Northern Ireland.
Councillors were also informed of the progress of the North South Interconnector project, which will connect the electricity systems between Northern Ireland and the Republic, via counties Tyrone and Armagh before crossing the border, as SONI General Manager Robin McCormick explains: “We were delighted to have had representatives from our local council here, to see how we run and develop the electricity grid. The Councillors were very interested in the highly skilled work that we do here - keeping the lights on across Northern Ireland.
“Given the importance of a secure and efficient electricity supply to the thousands of homes and businesses, it was also a good opportunity for us to update councillors on the proposed North South Interconnector project, undoubtedly the most important infrastructure scheme on the island, an application for which is now with the planning appeals commission. Without it, keeping the lights on in Northern Ireland will be a real challenge for all of us – businesses, politicians and consumers, but we are pleased that LCCC has recognised the critical need for the project and is offering its full support.”
Alderman James Tinsley, Chair of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee, who led the delegation added: “I would like to thank SONI for the opportunity that it offered the Council to view its premises and experience exactly how the distribution of electricity is controlled. This 24/7 operation runs smoothly and the teams work very hard to ensure that all lights can be turned on in Northern Ireland when needed by householders and businesses alike.
“It was great to see that there is increasing amounts of green energy from wind farms being connected to the grid; and hearing about the benefits of the North South Interconnector that has been years in the planning. It is hoped it will make its final stages through the planning process in due course and when established it will enhance the grid network to allow the strategic renewable energy targets for Northern Ireland to be met.”