Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland is in the top five globally for installed wind power capacity per capita, with approximately 4.6 GW of onshore wind generation capacity, and is a world leader in the integration of variable renewable electricity onto the grid. Solar energy is a growing source of electricity and is rapidly transforming Ireland’s energy system with approximately 700 MW of grid connected capacity.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) has been fundamental in boosting Ireland's energy independence.

In October, I announced the results of the third onshore RESS auction (RESS 3). The successful projects, mostly solar PV projects, represent a 12% increase in Ireland’s renewable energy capacity from current levels. This is a positive result for the climate, for security of supply and for maintaining our ambitious renewables programme to support decarbonisation of the wider economy.

While these are lower volumes than previous auction rounds, RESS 3 targeted mature, shovel ready, projects that all have planning permissions and grid connection offers and are expected to deliver rapidly to the grid.

The auction results will help bolster energy security and system resilience, contribute to emissions reduction over the second carbon budget period and they will continue a steady rollout of renewable energy projects to support our EU renewable targets in 2027 and 2030.

The auction volumes underpin the need for a much stronger pipeline of onshore wind and solar projects coming through the grid connection and permitting processes. It also highlights the urgent and critical need for greater alignment between local plans and renewable energy targets to support investment in and realise the national goal of energy independence.