Image source, NI Assembly

Claire Sugden, an independent MLA, asks if “there could be some sort of time clause to ensure we don’t run ahead” of the publication of an Energy Strategy.

Utility Regulator CEO John French responds “from our perspective we’ve got a very fragile consumer base in terms of what we can afford”.

“I fully appreciate what John’s trying to do in terms of this bill” says Ms Sugden, but adds “perhaps it’s too ambitious”.

“John’s perhaps a few years ahead of where the government is on this one.”

Image source, NI Assembly

The DUP's Keith Buchanan asks if the Energy Regulator has any role in protecting the 10,000 suppliers of "solar panel electricity".

John French, the Utility Regulator CEO, says it's a commercial matter between Power NI and the consumer.

He adds that there are routes between the regulator and the Consumer Council if there are any complaints "but that is a commercial arrangement with the consumer and Power NI".

Kevin Shiels says there is a regulated price for electricity "spilling back onto the grid".

Caoimhe Archibald asks if the Utility Regulator should have a role in “setting a minimum tariff” under this piece of draft legislation.

John French responds “yes”.

“It is a policy decision, either you leave it to the markets or you try and force the support going through in regulation,” he adds.

Image source, NI Assembly

On the issue of consumer costs, Dr Archibald asks if there “is potential for additional costs to be passed onto the consumer” under the draft bill.

“We do have one of the most vulnerable areas, if not the most vulnerable area in the UK in terms of consumers,” says John French.

The Utility Regulator CEO adds that some consumers can afford the costs but others can’t.

Whatever costs are introduced, he says, there is a need to ensure “we don’t unintentionally make energy less affordable for consumers”.

Mr French's colleague, Kevin Sheils says micro-generation may “not be a very cost effective way of moving towards much higher level of renewable penetration relative to other sources” and refers to an Audit Office report into the system.

Image source, NI Assembly

John French is chief executive of the Utility Regulator.

He introduces a graphic presentation ahead of the discussion beginning with an outline of the role of the regulator.

Mr French says the cost of energy "continues to be of concern".

He says NI customers are "probably the most vulnerable in the UK".

The chief executive says the NI Energy Strategy needs to concentrate on three areas - affordability, security of supply and carbon consumption.

Turning to the Small-scale Energy Bill, he says there needs to be a co-ordinated approach with a number of bodies including planning authorities, the NI Environment Agency and NIE Networks.

Mr French says there are already 10,000 customers providing energy though micro-generation schemes in NI.

He talks of the challenge of Dunkelflaute, keeping the lights on during periods of a lack of wind.

Image source, NI Assembly

After a lengthy debate in the chamber on Tuesday evening on the Parental Bereavement Bill, the Economy Committee members are back at the assembly - this time in Committee Room 30.

Caoimhe Archibald, the Sinn Féin MLA who chairs the meeting, brings members to order.

She runs through some general business before welcoming this morning’s first witnesses.

Officials from the Utility Regulator will be discussing the Small-Scale Green Energy Bill.

• John French, Utility Regulator Northern Ireland
• Kevin Shiels, Utility Regulator Northern Ireland

Sinn Féin has said the UK government has given its "clearest signal yet" that it will introduce laws to ban all Troubles-related prosecutions.

The main Stormont parties and UK and Irish governments discussed Troubles legacy issues on Tuesday.

In July the government said it wanted to legislate to end Troubles-era investigations, prosecutions, inquests and civil actions.

That has been rejected by all Northern Ireland parties and victims' groups.

Read more on this story here.

Welcome to our live coverage of Wednesday at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

This morning we'll be joining members of the Economy Committee as they continue their scrutiny of the Small-Scale Green Energy Bill.

The main action of the day comes this afternoon when the Executive Office Committee will have a question-and-answer session with the European Commission's Vice-President, Maroš Šefčovič.

The Economy Committee meets at 10:00. Do stay with us.