To ask the Minister for the Economy what action his Department is taking to introduce new flexibility measures, such as energy storage, to help prevent future energy price spikes.

The Executive’s Energy Strategy Action Plan includes an action (Action 19) to prepare a Northern Ireland Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan which will consider key issues such as flexibility opportunities and barriers for consumers and networks as well as digitalisation needs and future markets for flexibility.

Officials from my Department are currently working with the Utility Regulator (UR) to progress this action. I have committed to report on progress across all the actions by March 2023.