Key facts
| Council area | Newry, Mourne and Down |
| Population | 28,026 (Newry settlement, Census 2021) |
| Network operator | NIE Networks |
| Main employment areas | Carnbane Industrial Estate; Newry Business Park (Invest NI); Greenbank Industrial Estate; Canal Walk Business Park |
| Indicative yield | About 898 kWh per kWp a year (south facing, 30 degrees) |
| Nation support page | Grants and reliefs in Northern Ireland |
Where businesses are in Newry
- Carnbane Industrial Estate: The city's main industrial estate, about two miles from the centre off the A28 Carnbane roundabout.
- Newry Business Park (Invest NI): Invest NI's £19m extension at Carnbane, with about 20 acres of serviced industrial land in its first phase.
- Greenbank Industrial Estate: Industrial estate on the Warrenpoint Road with access to the city centre and the Warrenpoint dual carriageway.
- Canal Walk Business Park: Business park on Shepherds Way within Carnbane Industrial Estate.
Large employers and sectors with sites here include:
- Fintech and software: First Derivative (part of EPAM): Headquartered in Newry. Announced 70 new Newry jobs at an AI and fintech centre of excellence in September 2026.
- Veterinary pharmaceuticals: Norbrook: Has three sites on the outskirts of Newry, including Station Works on Camlough Road.
Large, simple roofs on distribution sheds and modern industrial units are usually the quickest and cheapest to fit. Older mill, factory and workshop buildings can work well too, but often need a structural survey first, and roofs from before 2000 may contain asbestos cement: see asbestos roofs.
Grid connection
Newry is served by NIE Networks, which runs the network across Northern Ireland. Systems connect under the G98/NI and G99/NI process, and there is no Smart Export Guarantee in Northern Ireland, so sizing the system to the power you use on site matters even more. See G99 and DNO applications.
Planning in Newry
Planning in Newry is decided by Newry, Mourne and Down council. Rooftop solar on many non-domestic buildings can go ahead without an application within the Northern Ireland limits; listed buildings need consent.
Points that come up locally:
- Newry sits at the head of Carlingford Lough between two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion.
Our guides on national parks and National Landscapes explain what these mean for a solar project.
What a business roof in Newry could generate
Modelled with PVGIS for the town centre, a south-facing roof at 30 degrees produces about 898 kWh per kWp a year.
| Item | Illustrative figure |
|---|---|
| System | 100 kWp, south facing at 30 degrees |
| Installed cost | £900 per kWp, so £90,000 excluding VAT |
| Generation | About 89,800 kWh a year |
| Used on site | 70% at 24p = £15,086 saved |
| Exported | 30% at 5p = £1,347 earned |
| Total a year | About £16,433 |
| Simple payback | About 5.5 years before tax relief |
Illustrative, not a quote: the same sums as our commercial solar calculator. A company paying corporation tax can usually shorten the payback with capital allowances.
Funding and support
- NISEP Commercial Energy Saving Scheme (2026/27): A 20% grant for commercial and non-domestic properties, including solar PV (grant capped at £30,000), LED lighting, boilers and heating controls. Applications go to Power NI. Runs April 2026 to March 2027, or until funds run out. Check the scheme's own page for eligibility and closing dates.
National reliefs apply too: see grants and reliefs in Northern Ireland.
Solar across Newry, Mourne and Down
At the end of 2025, Newry, Mourne and Down had 3,997 solar PV installations with 23.2 MW of capacity, up 1351% since 2020, according to government figures. The Newry, Mourne and Down page has the full local figures and how they compare.
Nearby towns
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: List of localities in Northern Ireland by population
- propertypal.com
- newrychamber.com: invest nis newry business park is open for
- propertypal.com
- commercialpropertyfinder.nibusinessinfo.co.uk: canal walk business park shepherds way carnbane industrial
- armaghi.com
- norbrook.com: directions to newry sites
- nienetworks.co.uk: company overview
- visitmournemountains.co.uk: things to do in newry city
- uregni.gov.uk: NISEP List of Schemes 2026 27 updated
- en.wikipedia.org: Newry
- Yield: PVGIS 5.3 (European Commission Joint Research Centre), SARAH3 data, 14% system losses, for the town centre, modelled 4 November 2026.
- Council area figures: DESNZ, renewable electricity by local authority 2014 to 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the electricity network operator in Newry?
NIE Networks. Most commercial solar systems need its G99 approval before they are switched on. The operator follows the postcode, so confirm yours with the Energy Networks Association postcode tool.
How much would a 100 kWp solar system generate in Newry?
About 89,800 kWh a year for a south-facing roof at 30 degrees, modelled with PVGIS for the town centre. At 70% used on site at 24p and the rest exported at 5p, that is worth about £16,433 a year. Your own roof, orientation and use will change this.
Can a business in Newry get a free solar survey?
Yes. Answer six short questions and we match the site with one MCS certified installer, who surveys it on site or by video call. It is free, with no obligation. Get a free survey.
Related pages
- Newry, Mourne and Down3,997 installations, 23.2 MW of solar and about 928 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof.
- Northern IrelandNIE Networks and the G98/NI and G99/NI process, no Smart Export Guarantee, council-led planning, and the agri-food and manufacturing buildings that suit solar.
- Commercial solar calculatorEstimate commercial solar savings and payback, with the generation, price and cost assumptions shown and sourced, and the limits of a simple estimate explained.
- Northern IrelandCurrent solar support in Northern Ireland for businesses, community groups, public bodies and farms, plus export, rates, planning and official contacts.
- Planning permissionPermitted development for commercial rooftop solar and car park canopies in England, prior approval, heritage limits, ground-mounted schemes and the other UK nations.