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Northern Ireland's ambitious renewable energy targets will be jeopardised if NIE fails to gain prompt planning consent for its proposed cross-border interconnector, the power company has warned.

The draft strategic energy framework proposes raising the north's renewables target to 40 per cent by 2020.

Industry insiders widely expect this figure to be officially adopted when the final version of the regional energy blueprint is published shortly.

But while NIE has welcomed the proposed increase as a means of combating climate change, the company says the 40 per cent target presents a "number of challenges".

NIE has highlighted the planned £160 million north-south interconnector as key in meeting the revised renewables target. The 400 KV interconnector will run from Moy in Co Tyrone to a substation in Co Cavan before connecting with a similar cable in the Republic.

NIE lodged a planning application for the interconnector late last year. The company is hoping its proposal will be considered by Planning Service's strategic projects team within six months.

However, along the route of the overhead power lines, opposition from residents is strong.

Many cite health concerns as the issue, while others consider the pylon network unsightly. NIE claims there is no evidence that the high-voltage cables cause health problems, while calls for the high-capacity cables to be buried underground have been dismissed as too costly.

Privately, NIE representatives have said a planning inquiry into the proposal would cause major delays and make meeting the fresh renewables targets impossible.

Failure to secure planning approval, they believe, would entirely scupper any increase in renewables consumption.

An NIE spokesman told The Irish News that the strategic energy framework target would require a major upgrade of the north's electricity transmission system.

"The Tyrone-Cavan interconnector, a major cross-border electricity infrastructure project, is key to enable more renewable generator capacity to be connected to the electricity network," the spokesperson said.

"Government targets on renewables, north and south, cannot be met without additional electricity interconnection."

The interconnector, which will be funded by electricity users, is supported by the Utility Regulator and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Deti), who believe it is a necessary response to increased demand for electricity.

Deti's strategic energy framework states: "In the short-term the increased capacity will facilitate growth in wholesale competition in the single electricity market and is a key component for effective market operation.

"It will also enhance security and stability of supply for consumers."

Two smaller cross-border interconnectors running from Strabane in Co Tyrone to Letterkenny, Co Donegal, and from Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh to Corraclassy, Co Cavan, are already operational.

However, the proposed new interconnector will carry more than four times as much electricity as the existing cross-border power lines.