Plugging into progress: Improving EV charging infrastructure in Northern Ireland
Sean O’Callaghan, EV Operations Director at SSE, shares insights on steps Northern Ireland can take to accelerate the roll out of EV infrastructure.
Despite promising appetite for EV adoption in Northern Ireland, the region is lagging behind its neighbours in Great Britian and the Republic of Ireland. This, in part, can be attributed to the slow roll out of EV charging infrastructure in the region.
Increased provision of charging infrastructure and operators, the cost of charging and how to pay for charging have been highlighted by policy makers in Northern Ireland as fundamental issues which need to be addressed now for people wanting to make the transition from petrol and diesel to EVs.
SSE is heartened that the Department for Infrastructure will be working to identify suitable charging sites along transport corridors, and is putting in place measures to resolve electrical capacity constraints at these locations, as part of its recently published Path to Net Zero Action Plan 2024. We believe this is a step in the right direction and must be implemented alongside other smart policy if Northern Ireland is to plug into the true potential of EVs.
Looking beyond home charging
With only 19 public chargers per 100,000 residents, Northern Ireland falls short compared to Scotland (69), England (56), and Wales (47)(1). Home charging, where available, is likely to be the cheapest and most convenient form of charging for EV owners in Northern Ireland.(2) In 2022, the Department for Infrastructure established the EV Infrastructure Task-Force which recognised this. In its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Action Plan for Northern Ireland, the task-force recommended that given that on average 80 per cent of homes in Northern Ireland are suitable for home charging solutions, EV infrastructure should focus on developing a rapid (DC) charging network which will help EV users top up their vehicles as and when required such as during long distance trips, but also support the light commercial logistics and freight market within Northern Ireland and connecting into the Republic of Ireland.
While SSE embraces this approach, we urge policy makers to also give adequate consideration to charging solutions in urban areas across Northern Ireland where, in some cases, only 60 per cent of people have access to off street parking.(3)
As policy makers in Northern Ireland navigate these challenges, SSE stands ready to deliver simplified, tailor-made solutions. Two years ago, SSE opened its first ultra-rapid EV charging hubs in Great Britain, powered by traceable renewable energy, part of a major commitment over the next five years to roll out a further 300 such hubs in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
SSE is also a member of ChargeUK which was established in 2023 and brings together 18 of the largest companies installing charge points in the UK. Members of ChargeUK are collectively investing over £6 billion installing and operating new EV charging infrastructure by 2030. Overall, our track record of engaging with industry, as well as assisting business owners, landlords and local authorities with their EV infrastructure needs, positions SSE as a trusted strategic energy partner.
In the Republic of Ireland specifically, we are investing close to £30 million (€35 million) to install at least 30 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs across the country over the next four years. These hubs will deliver up to 13km of range per minute(4), with an average charging session taking only 15-20 minutes.**
Although charging an EV takes longer than filling up a petrol car, this perceived inconvenience is an opportunity for businesses. EV owners are drawn to EV hubs which allow them to charge whilst they do other things. Charging hubs are consequently best located near shopping centres and business parks. Local authorities in Northern Ireland can therefore leverage EV charging infrastructure to drive regeneration and economic development. By strategically placing charging points in easily accessible locations, they can breathe new life into underserved areas.
Driving confidence
At SSE, we are preparing to launch a 10-bay ultra-rapid charging facility located just off the M4 at Lough Sheever Corporate Park in Mullingar, County Westmeath in spring 2024. As we begin to make strides with our first EV charging hub in the Republic of Ireland, we are eager to explore similar future opportunities in Northern Ireland.
We call on all stakeholders in Northern Ireland including the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, landowners, business leaders, and consumers to build on existing collaboration and accelerate the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure in the region.
The time to act is now. By plugging into progress, together we can ensure Northern Ireland has the infrastructure it needs to give drivers the confidence to go electric.
1. www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electric-vehicle-charging-device-statistics-january-2023/electric-vehicle-charging-device-statistics-january-2023#location-of-charging-devices
2. Energy Strategy – Path to Net Zero Energy – 2024 Action Plan Report (economy-ni.gov.uk)
3. Action Plan for Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
4. Assumes market average efficiency of 187Wh/km* and requires capability to charge at 150kW. * Energy consumption of full electric vehicles cheatsheet – EV Database (ev-database.org) ** Subject to vehicle capabilities and battery condition
W: www.SSEenergysolutions.co.uk
