Power company's carbon commitment equivalent to taking 130k cars off the road

AES UK and Ireland has further committed itself to reduced carbon emissions and improved biodiversity at its sites.

It follows Friday’s signing by the energy provider, which has plants at Kilroot and Ballylumford, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency of a prosperity agreement, which aims to deliver a range of benefits over the next five years.

Under the agreement, AES will progress an additional 100MW battery storage array in Northern Ireland to support greater integration of renewable energy generation. This will save an estimated 123,000 tonnes of carbon each year, equivalent to taking 128,250 cars off the road.

Speaking at at Kilroot, NIEA chief executive David Small said: “This is the fifth prosperity agreement the NIEA has now signed with high performing Northern Ireland businesses.

Ballylumford Power Station. INLT 18-386-PRBallylumford Power Station. INLT 18-386-PR
Ballylumford Power Station. INLT 18-386-PR

“Each agreement enshrines a company’s commitment to a sustainable future for its business and the Northern Ireland environment. The agreement with AES contains some key targets which will help the energy generation sector’s transition to greater use of renewable and low carbon solutions.

“We believe these prosperity agreements are a useful regulatory tool which helps NIEA to work strategically with business. They also help companies to maintain excellent compliance with their obligations and to look for new commercial opportunities with environmental benefits.”

AES is investing in its assets to improve sustainability and to accelerate a transition to new energy solutions while ensuring cost effective, security of supply for consumers.

The agreement demonstrates its commitment to improve environmental performance and business growth, while also delivering the best environmental outcomes for the province. In addition, collaboration has also started on a joint marine monitoring plan which meets the needs of AES and NIEA in terms of data quality, improved sampling techniques and information sharing.

Ballylumford Power Station. INLT 18-386-PRBallylumford Power Station. INLT 18-386-PR
Ballylumford Power Station. INLT 18-386-PR

Ian Luney, AES UK & Ireland president, said: “As a company, we are delighted to be signing this agreement with NIEA which recognises the positive relationship we have built with the regulator and enables us to reach for even more aspirational environmental targets.

“A partnership approach such as this can help businesses to address the step changes which are needed to respond to the challenges of climate change, resource efficiency and support Northern Ireland’s economic growth.

“With last year’s installation of the Kilroot Advancion® Energy Storage Array, AES is leading the way in promoting and supporting sustainable technological solutions for energy management and power generation and we look forward to seeing the actions outlined in the agreement bear fruit.”

Prosperity agreements are voluntary agreements signed between NIEA and a company or organisation. They do not remove any legal environmental obligations on the business and NIEA will still take any appropriate enforcement action, if it is required, to ensure regulatory compliance and protect the environment.