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More than half of the electricity used in Northern Ireland in 2022 came from local renewable sources, data suggests.

The total of 51% was an increase of almost 10 percentage points compared with the previous year.

2021 was a relatively poor year for renewable generation across Europe due to lower-than-average wind speeds.

Official figures show that February was the best month on record for renewables use in Northern Ireland, accounting for 76.5% of electricity consumption.

Northern Ireland has a target of at least 80% of electricity consumption coming from renewable sources by 2030.

The key source of renewable power is wind, accounting for more than 85% of renewable generation in 2022.

Biogas and biomass combined accounted for about 9% with solar providing 3%.

Some imported electricity consumed in Northern Ireland is also generated from renewable sources outside Northern Ireland.

However the full extent of that is unknown and therefore cannot be reported separately.

A major part of getting to the 80% renewable electricity target is supposed to be the development of offshore wind farms.

Northern Ireland has no offshore wind facilities and a number of proposed projects have been abandoned.

However the Department for the Economy and the Crown Estate, which controls the sea bed, recently agreed for Northern Ireland.