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The Renewable Electricity Generation Bill is the latest step towards the introduction of Northern Ireland's proposed Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) scheme. The consultation on the bill closes on Wednesday 21 October 2026, providing one of the final opportunities for industry stakeholders to influence the legislative framework that will underpin Northern Ireland's future renewable electricity support regime.
While the framework will be familiar to developers with experience of Great Britain's Contracts for Difference (CfD) regime, a number of important questions remain to be addressed through secondary legislation and supporting scheme documentation.
We answer some of the key questions currently being asked by renewable energy developers and investors.
What is the Renewable Electricity Generation Bill?
The bill provides the legislative framework for Northern Ireland's proposed Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) scheme.
The REPG is intended to provide long-term revenue support for eligible renewable electricity projects through competitive allocation rounds, supporting investment in new renewable generation and helping NI meet its target of sourcing at least 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030.
Why is the bill important?
For renewable energy projects, revenue certainty is often a key requirement for attracting investment and securing finance.
The bill is therefore a significant milestone for NI’s energy transition and represents an important step towards the introduction of the region's first large-scale renewable electricity support mechanism since the closure of the Renewables Obligation scheme.
While many of the commercial details will be addressed through future regulations and scheme documents, the bill demonstrates that the REPG framework is continuing to progress.
How does the scheme compare with the GB CfD regime?
The bill closely follows the structure of GB’s CfD regime, which has underpinned substantial renewable energy investment across the UK over the last decade.
That alignment is likely to be welcomed by developers, investors and lenders who are already familiar with the CfD model and the contractual framework that supports it.
One notable difference is the inclusion of powers which would allow community benefit requirements to form part of the REPG framework. By contrast, community benefit schemes in Great Britain generally exist on a voluntary basis rather than as a mandatory condition of CfD support.
Community benefit arrangements are already a well-established aspect of renewable energy development in Northern Ireland. However, the Bill leaves a number of important questions to be addressed through future regulations, including:
Developers will therefore be watching closely for further detail as the framework develops.
What remains to be decided?
While the bill establishes the legislative architecture for the scheme, many of the provisions that will ultimately determine its commercial attractiveness remain to be developed.
Key issues still to be addressed include the design of future allocation rounds, technology eligibility criteria, the treatment of hybrid and co-located projects, and auction capacity limits.
The publication of draft terms and conditions will therefore be an important next step for developers, investors and lenders considering opportunities in the Northern Ireland market.
What is happening on State aid approval?
Alongside the progress of the bill, developers should also be aware of the recent Notice of Intention published by the Department for the Economy in relation to the REPG scheme.
As we discussed in our recent article, Renewable Electricity Price guarantee – Notice of Intention | A&L Goodbody LLP, the notice has been introduced to help developers preserve their ability to demonstrate the required "incentive effect" under State aid rules while the REPG scheme continues through the approval process. Developers intending to commence eligible projects should consider whether a notification to the department may be required before the start of works.
While the Notice of Intention does not guarantee future support, it may help preserve eligibility for participation in the first REPG allocation round if the relevant requirements are satisfied.
What should developers do now?
Developers should continue to monitor the progress of both the bill and the wider REPG framework.
With the consultation on the bill closing on Wednesday 21 October 2026, stakeholders should consider whether there are aspects of the proposed framework on which they wish to provide feedback.
Developers should also carefully review the implications of the recent Notice of Intention published by the Department for the Economy, particularly where projects are progressing towards construction or key investment decisions.
Looking ahead
The Renewable Electricity Generation Bill is a significant milestone for NI’s renewable energy sector and another important step towards the implementation of the REPG scheme.
While further detail is still required before the regime becomes operational, the direction of travel is clear. The focus will now turn to the secondary legislation, auction design and contractual framework that will ultimately determine how the scheme operates in practice and how effectively it supports future renewable energy investment in Northern Ireland.
For further information, see our article on the REPG Notice of Intention or contact a member of A&L Goodbody's Energy, Infrastructure & Natural Resources team.
Date published: 19 October 2026
