Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with section 34 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, it is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application for planning permission, including an application in respect of a wind energy development, on a case-by-case basis and to decide whether to grant permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission.

When granting planning permission for a wind farm development, in most cases planning authorities attach a condition to the permission that limits the operational lifespan of the development. In such a case, a new planning application would be required where it is proposed to extend the operational lifespan of an existing wind farm development for a further specified period of time.

In addition to conditions regarding the operational lifespan of a development, the Wind Energy Development Guidelines (2006) advise that wind energy developments may also be subject to conditions requiring that future re-equipping be agreed in writing with the planning authority or be the subject of a separate planning application. In this context, re-equipping is generally understood to mean the replacement of existing turbines with new, more efficient models.