System Operator for Northern Ireland

{{Short description|Energy system operator for Northern Ireland}}

{{Infobox company

| predecessor =

| founded = {{Start date and age|2000}}

| hq_location_city = Belfast

| hq_location_country = United Kingdom

| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Peter McNaney, Chair|Alan Campbell, CEO}}

}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2024}}

The System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) is the privatised electricity transmission system operator for Northern Ireland. It is owned by EirGrid.{{Cite news |last=Mulligan |first=John |date=2023-02-01 |title=EirGrid starts to demerge Northern Ireland unit after stinging criticism from regulator |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/eirgrid-starts-to-demerge-northern-ireland-unit-after-stinging-criticism-from-regulator/42322057.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250418111903/https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/eirgrid-starts-to-demerge-northern-ireland-unit-after-stinging-criticism-from-regulator/42322057.html |archive-date=2025-04-18 |access-date=2025-04-18 |work=Irish Independent}} SONI's licence requires that SONI is fully operationally independent from the rest of EirGrid.{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=John |date=2019-07-11 |title=Electricity watchdog to review NI grid operator SONI |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48950913 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508215655/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-48950913 |archive-date=2022-05-08 |access-date=2025-04-18 |work=BBC News}}

SONI was founded in 2000 and has been owned by EirGrid since 2009.{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=John |date=2022-01-25 |title=SONI: Changes planned for NI's electricity grid operator |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60112018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127012713/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60112018 |archive-date=2022-01-27 |access-date=2025-04-18 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=2017-05-09 |title=42. System Operator Northern Ireland |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/top-100-companies/company-list/42-system-operator-northern-ireland/35686577.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418113645/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/top-100-companies/company-list/42-system-operator-northern-ireland/35686577.html |archive-date=2025-04-18 |access-date=2025-04-18 |work=Belfast Telegraph}}

SONI is responsible for managing electricity supply and demand operationally, and is also responsible for planning relating to energy infrastructure relating to Northern Ireland.{{Cite news |last=Carlin |first=Gerard |date=2024-11-09 |title=‘Northern Ireland’s energy transition offers huge potential for economy’ |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/house-home/northern-irelands-energy-transition-offers-huge-potential-for-economy/a1568821454.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109170649/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/house-home/northern-irelands-energy-transition-offers-huge-potential-for-economy/a1568821454.html |archive-date=2024-11-09 |access-date=2025-04-18 |work=Belfast Telegraph}} SONI is regulated by the Utility Regulator.

SONI is expected to be a major part of Northern Ireland's transition to net zero emissions.{{Cite news |date=2025-03-17 |title=SONI: expanding its key energy role and preparing for our net zero future |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/ulsterbusiness/profile/soni-expanding-its-key-energy-role-and-preparing-for-our-net-zero-future/a1668989025.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401115322/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/ulsterbusiness/profile/soni-expanding-its-key-energy-role-and-preparing-for-our-net-zero-future/a1668989025.html |archive-date=2025-04-01 |access-date=2025-04-18 |work=Belfast Telegraph}}