John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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321. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when new wind energy guidelines for offshore wind energy developments will be published; the reason for the delay with these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21149/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently developing new Offshore Wind Energy Marine Planning Guidelines (OWE MPGs) pursuant to section 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021 (as amended).

The need for such Guidelines was first identified in the National Marine Planning Framework, Ireland’s first marine plan in Spring 2021. At the end of the same year, the most significant reform to marine management legislation since the formation of the State was completed via enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021. This put in place a significant number of changes including enhancing the new plan-led system of governance so it can more readily facilitate sectoral development, giving new powers to An Bord Pleanála for offshore wind projects, and providing the basis for statutory guidelines to be created.

Since these reforms have been introduced and legislative provisions commenced, much implementation work has been undertaken. Provisions have been put in place to allow decisions on offshore wind sites submitted under the previous foreshore system to be considered by An Bord Pleanála under new processes, maintaining momentum in the development pipeline. The South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy (SC-DMAP) was published in 2024 and identifies new areas for offshore wind development. Combined these areas represent the potential for over 8GW of generation.

Ensuring Ireland realises its potential in terms of offshore wind energy development is dependent upon modernisation across Government. In Autumn 2024 work led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) culminated in the enactment of a new Planning and Development Act, 2024. This includes important changes to the planning permission and environmental assessment provisions that will shape statutory guidance related to planning matters. Work is underway to commence these provisions in line with the published Implementation Plan (available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/implementation-plan-for-the-planning-and-development-act-2024/).

In the context of these changes and the need to ensure continuity in relation to basis of decision making for offshore wind proposals being considered by An Bord Pleanála, it is vital that the OWE MPGs are introduced in the right way and at the right time. My Department continues to work closely with key stakeholders including An Bord Pleanála and DHLGH on the matter of timing but it is intended that the OWE MPGs will be in place by the end of 2025.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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322. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment what discussions have taken place between officials from his Department and officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to onshore and offshore wind energy projects planning guidelines to ensure their mutual compatibility in relation to, for example, noise, flicker and height to distance ratios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21150/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is developing revised wind energy development guidelines (WEDGs) for onshore wind pursuant to section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

Guidance on the noise aspect of the WEDGs, which is highly technical in nature, is being advanced by my Department in conjunction with DHLGH. Both Departments are currently fully engaged to ensure any revised WEDGs are robust and fit for purpose in line with existing standards and international best practice and having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.

The 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force pending the finalisation of the review process.

In parallel to the WEDGs, my Department is developing new Offshore Wind Energy Marine Planning Guidelines (OWE MPGs) pursuant to section 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021 (as amended). This work is informed by ongoing dialogue with DHLGH and the relevant constituent policy areas, including learning from the approach taken to developing and applying the WEDGs. An important driver in ensuring compatibility is the need to consider land-sea interactions as set out in the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF).