The first quarter of 2025 was a ‘record’ one for wind energy project approval in Ireland, Wind Energy Ireland has said, although the total capacity approved still falls short of the country’s targets.
Wind Energy Ireland was commenting after An Bord Pleanála, Ireland’s planing authority, approved seven wind energy projects in the first three months of 2025, with a combined capacity of 402 MW, and rejected none.
While this made Q1 one of the ‘best quarters in recent years for renewable energy projects’, it falls short of the 555 MW needed in order to ensure that Ireland’s Climate Action Plan can be achieved.
During the quarter, four new projects, with a capacity of 203MW, entered the planning system, meaning that by the end of the quarter, 27 projects with a total capacity of 1,399 MW were awaiting a decision.
‘An excellent start’
“This has been an excellent start to the year with a big jump in approvals from An Bord Pleanála,” commented Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland. “Every turbine we get through the planning system means more affordable and cleaner power for Irish families and businesses.
“At a time when our economy is under threat from tariffs, energy costs and global uncertainty Irish wind farms are a ready-made solution. Since 2020 they have cut bills for consumers by almost €1.7 billion.”
Planning reform
Cunniffe added that while the quarter was “impressive”, the planning system still needs significant reform to accelerate the delivery of renewable energy infrastructure.
Ireland missed the July 2024 deadline to implement key aspects of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive III, which is intended to streamline and speed up renewable energy planning.
“We need to accelerate the delivery of new onshore and offshore wind farms and reinforce the electricity grid in a very short time,” he added. “We must have a planning system that enables us to do this.
“That means taking the tools the EU has given us to speed up the planning system for renewable energy and providing An Bord Pleanála and other key stakeholders the resources they need to effectively implement the RED III directive. Until this happens, Ireland will struggle to get the volume of projects we need through the planning system and consumers will remain vulnerable to high gas prices.” Read more here.
