To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she will update the statutory remit of the Utility Regulator to include (i) decarbonisation; and (ii) climate change targets in its duties.

The Utility Regulator is an independent body which plays an integral role in supporting DfE’s decarbonisation journey.

My Department is contributing to government’s statutory targets under the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 by developing new energy policies and legislation.

Each piece of new legislation will include the necessary statutory powers that the Utility Regulator requires to enable it to carry out any new regulatory duties.

For example, my Department has consulted on a new Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill which is designed to support development of net-zero energy policies, and is progressing legislation that will enable the delivery of a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, which will include new powers for the regulator.