Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

131. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the development of renewable energy. [48943/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is the ambition of this Government to rapidly expand renewable energy capacity to meet climate targets and ensure long-term energy security. This includes scaling up wind, solar, and grid infrastructure, supported by streamlined planning and regulatory processes. The Programme for Government has reaffirmed Ireland’s target of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewables in the near term, with plans to move to net zero by 2050.

Renewables provided 40% of our electricity demand in 2024. Over the past 4 years, 22 separate electricity storage systems have been connected to the grid network, enabling the use of increasing amounts of renewable electricity on the grid. The CRU are currently proposing to approve an investment of up to €18 billion in our electricity system between 2026-2030 which will enable the integration of greater renewable energy, both onshore and offshore, into our energy system. The Electricity Connection Policy - Generation and System Services comes into effect this year and introduces a bi-annual connection application process, allowing for greater parallel processing of planning and grid applications for renewable projects to expedite the overall permitting process.

The expanded use of district heating, based on renewable energy and/or waste heat is envisaged to play a key role in decarbonising the Irish heat sector. The Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 has been designed to provide a legislative underpinning for the district heating sector. A legal drafter has been assigned to the Bill and officials in my Department are engaging to progress it towards enactment.

Ireland is taking steps to implement the Renewable Energy Directive which provides the legal framework for the increased deployment of renewable energy across the electricity, transport and heating sectors.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the input his Department has had into the development of solar energy development guidelines as initiated by the Department for Housing; Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49077/25]

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

147. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has been in communication with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the publishing of planning guidelines for solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49316/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 147 together.

The Programme for outlines the Government's commitment to deliver 80% of Ireland's electricity demand from renewable energy sources including 8GW of solar energy.

The total installed capacity of solar generation connected to the grid currently stands at over 1.7 Gigawatts (GW) with a new record for peak solar generation set in July. Government policy is focused on maintaining this momentum and delivering on our ambitious target of 8 GW of solar capacity.

To support this, the Programme for Government sets out a commitment to introduce planning guidelines for solar farms. Planning matters fall within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

I am advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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.

Under the aegis of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, officials from my Department will liaise and work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as this important matter progresses.