James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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368. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when his Department will update guidelines on solar and wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4526/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department notes the commitment in the recently published Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments.

In light of this commitment, my Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of planning guidelines for solar energy development, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, and the possible timeframe for publication of said guidelines. Given this scoping process remains at an early stage, such guidelines, once completed, will likely issue as a National Planning Statement, subject to commencement of the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024.

In the interim, there are currently no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar energy developments. Proposals for individual solar energy developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local planning authority, or An Bord Pleanála on appeal. I understand from An Bord Pleanála that in 2024, there were 18 decisions made on appeals in respect of solar energy developments and that 17 of these were to grant planning permission.

With regards to planning guidelines for Wind Energy, my Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise and setback distance as well as shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy (DCEE) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.

Further to this engagement, DCEE in the context of its environmental noise remit, appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is now substantially complete. My Department, in conjunction with DCEE, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.

In addition to work on the noise aspects of the Guidelines, the evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024, which was signed by the President on 17 October last, and the revision of the National Planning Framework reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.

With regard to the finalisation of the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, the Climate Action Plan 2024 - Annex of Actions sets out a timeline of Q1 2025 for publication of the final updated Guidelines. My Department is working towards meeting this commitment, having regard to the intended public consultation and the finalisation of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the National Planning Framework. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended or, subject to commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.