One of Northern Ireland’s leading energy experts has warned that if Brexit negotiations were to take the UK outside European energy networks consumers would face increased bills.

The stark warning was sounded to hundreds of industry influencers at the Northern Ireland Energy Forum by Richard Murphy, energy partner at Pinsent Masons.

In his address to delegates Mr Murphy said, “The direction of travel for energy markets has long been towards further integration. This facilitates the efficient transfer of energy from generation points to demand, flattening out peaks and troughs on the system and allowing for smarter trading.

“If Brexit meant that we were to find ourselves moving away from this pan-continental network, we couldn’t benefit from those efficiencies and costs would rise. The levels of investment in the infrastructure that has delivered these integrated networks makes it a practical non-starter to divest ourselves from the European system.”

He added: “The Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) in Ireland was originally conceived as a compliance project towards the EU framework for greater integration. However, as we move away from it being a political obligation, it is clear that the savings delivered by such an approach become an economic imperative.

“Brexit presents undoubted challenges and uncertainties for the Irish energy market as recognised by its inclusion the NI Executive’s letter to The Prime Minister. However, for the sake of businesses and consumers we must remain focussed on the introduction of I-SEM and the necessary supporting infrastructure such as the proposed North-South Interconnector. Brexit cannot disrupt this work.”

In light of the forthcoming challenges faced by the renewables industry he highlighted that being outside the EU could also offer some flexibility on the issue of support.

“At the 2015 plenary we painted quite a stark picture for local renewables development if NI was to throw in its lot with Great Britain and the new Contracts for Difference Mechanism. However, being outside the political union could relax some restrictions and create space for support tailored towards different regions including Northern Ireland.”