The FSB welcomed the announcement that the North South Interconnector had received the go-ahead for the southern section by the Republic of Ireland’s planning body, An Bord Pleanála.
FSB Head of External Affairs, Roger Pollen commented: “The North-South Interconnector is vital to providing the security of electricity supply required beyond 2021 as well as reducing stiflingly high energy bills.
“Energy costs account for approximately 9 per cent of turnover in the average FSB member’s business and are one of the key barriers to growth, according to our recent research.”
Mr Pollen added: “The system operator, SONI, is on record as saying there is a £14million annual cost to Northern Ireland customers resulting from the absence of the North-South Interconnector.
“Therefore, following the planning inquiry for the Northern Ireland section of the interconnector, it is essential that the Infrastructure Minister and his Department prioritise this vital piece of infrastructure.”
