Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The recent KPMG report, Act Now, makes for some very concerning reading when it comes to the likelihood of achieving our 2030 climate action targets for wind energy and solar energy.

The plan commits to having 80% of our electricity harnessed from wind and solar energy sources.

I thank Wind Energy Ireland for commissioning this really important and timely report that will inform the debate in this area. It outlines the hurdles the State faces in achieving its desirable renewable energy targets. The report notes that the problems in the renewable energy sector are systemic. We lack the processes, policies, organisations and dedicated resources needed to decarbonise our electricity system. Simply put, the report notes that the State is not doing enough in the field. This finding comes as no surprise as a review in 2022 noted that out of 13 European countries, Ireland scored joint lowest in preparedness to transition to renewable energy.

The KPMG report tells us that 95% of industry experts do not believe Ireland will reach its target of having 80% of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030. The report from Wind Energy Ireland highlights two main concerns, namely the planning process and the current state of our energy network. The report contains 20 recommendations, four pertaining to grid development and five to the planning process. The authors advise that renewable energy projects are entering a planning system that is unable to handle applications in a timely and efficient manner. Indeed, it highlights the fact that many respondents pointed to the planning system as a major challenge and called for increased resources. What tangible steps will the Government take to address the valid concerns raised in this report regarding grid capacity and planning delays?

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