Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

With approximately 4.8 GW of onshore wind, Ireland is a world leader in levels of installed wind energy capacity per capita as well as in the integration of variable renewable electricity onto the grid.

According to provisional figures published by SEAI for the electricity generation mix for 2023, renewable generation, including wind, increased by over 9% compared with 2022 figures. Rapidly growing solar generation capacity in Ireland complements wind generation, with more than 1 GW of solar now installed, making an important contribution to the now over 6 GW of renewable energy installed across the country. Under the Climate Action Plan 2023, Ireland has set a target of 80% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030, with targets of 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar and at least 5 GW of offshore wind.

The accelerating renewable electricity task force has been established to identify, co-ordinate, and prioritise the required policies to achieve the onshore renewable electricity targets. The offshore wind delivery task force has been established to drive delivery and capture the wider and longer-term economic and business opportunities associated with the development of offshore renewables in Ireland.

In December last year, Ireland signed up to a European Wind Charter to develop and improve the conditions necessary for the delivery of wind energy targets. Ireland also signed a voluntary so-called wind pledge, committing to the delivery of wind energy targets for the period 2024 to 2026, as well as pledging indicative targets for 2030 and post 2030.

I look forward hearing the Deputy's views. As I mentioned, last year we saw not just a 9% increase in renewables capacity but also a very significant reduction in emissions, which is one of the key metrics we have to be guided by. That is before we deliver the additional wind energy, particularly onshore, and solar, which are waiting to come through the planning system but which will come, I believe, and will allow us to meet our targets.

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