Planning changes must be finalised to ‘accelerate renewables as delays and appeals hinder progress,’ climate change body warns

Delays and appeals in the planning process are hindering progress in scaling up electricity generation using renewable energy and must be urgently addressed, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has warned.

The independent body of climate and energy experts said Government intervention is needed to meet its 2030 electricity targets and stay within the sector’s legally binding carbon emissions ceilings, while also addressing increased demand from consumers and industry.

The council has made recommendations, which include rapidly finalising “all elements of planning reform to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy generation, as delays and appeals significantly hindering progress”.

The council, which published its annual review of the sector on Monday, said Ireland’s renewable electricity generation “remains significantly below the required annual increase necessary to meet growing demand and simultaneously comply with the sectoral emissions ceilings”.

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Transposition of EU legislation into Irish law would be of particular benefit as it would “enable Ireland to avail of flexibility provisions that other member states are utilising to roll out renewable projects faster”, the report says. The revised Renewable Energy Directive provides for the presumption of overriding public interest for renewable projects and allows restriction of in applying the Habitats Directive “in certain areas under specific circumstances”.

Electricity emissions fell in 2023, driven by a rise in imported electricity from the UK coupled with a considerable decline in coal use for power generation at the ESB’s Moneypoint power station in Co Clare. To maintain this trajectory, the council says imports cannot be relied upon and it is crucial that coal use to generate electricity is stopped by 2025 and oil use is phased out as soon as possible.

“The council’s analysis of the electricity sector is a stark reminder of the critical actions that are required to ensure that Ireland stays within its emissions ceiling while providing security of supply for a growing economy,” said council chairwoman Marie Donnelly. She said last year marked just 0.6 gigawatts (GW) of new grid-scale onshore renewable connections, well below the 1.6GW required annually to meet 2030 targets.

No new onshore wind farms secured planning permission in the year up to September, while those who did later in the year were subject to judicial review or were being challenged, she confirmed on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

Ireland had a great opportunity to harness its indigenous renewable resources both onshore and offshore, she said. This meant the ability “to have control and security over our supply and ensure price stability for consumers while achieving our targets and becoming a world leader in renewable electricity generation”.

“Government must show leadership and take the actions required to ensure that Ireland can quickly capitalise on resources that we know are available but cannot come online due to system blockages. We know the potential – we now must have it realised,” Ms Donnelly said.

The council says critical electricity infrastructure needs to be made resilient. “It is important that planning processes are put in place to ensure new energy infrastructure is developed to withstand future projected climate impacts. Operators must address known flood risks to vital infrastructure and take account of protecting and, where possible enhancing, biodiversity in their developments.”

The Government should ensure pricing incentives for data centres and other large energy users to shift electricity usage to times of low carbon emissions, the CCAC says, and to give the public access to data on their energy efficiency and sustainability performance.

The analysis confirms electricity demand was reduced in Europe last year but Ireland had increased demand due to data centres, a growing population and a vibrant economy.

A plan for roll-out of offshore wind power off the south coast to avoid further delays in offshore wind generation is urgently needed, it concludes. The sector needs a long-term strategy with timelines for delivery of a reliable and zero-carbon electricity system well in advance of 2050, it says.

Building consumer confidence and understanding of the key role of electrification in decarbonising Ireland was vital, Ms Donnelly said. “If Ireland is to grasp the opportunity in the electricity sector then it is crucial that we bring consumers and communities with us.”

There was time to get on track to meet 2030 target, she said, because Ireland had the natural resources and proven technology to do so but it required strong political leadership at national and local level.

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