The Green Party has described as stupid, Northern Ireland’s over dependence on fossil fuels following dramatic increases in the price of electricity announced by Northern Ireland Electricity. The company says a further hike can be expected in the autumn.

Green Party MLA Brian Wilson said: “Gas, oil and coal prices have increased substantially in recent months and now we see that impacting on the price of electricity. The number of people facing fuel poverty will increase and this situation will not improve as prices for fossil fuels continue to be forced up, by growing demand in India and China. Northern Ireland in now vulnerable, we are at the mercy of Russia and the Middle East for our energy supply and should anything happen to that supply, we will be plunged into an energy crisis, if we are not in one already. Yet all around us we have wind and wave energy waiting to be tapped.”

The Green Party was very critical of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment when it ended Reconnect alternative energy grants in March.

Assembly Member Wilson said: “The shortsightedness of Minister Dodd’s decision to cut Reconnect grants is now obvious to all; we should be investing in alternative energy with a view to creating an energy independent Northern Ireland.”