Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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212. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which the findings of the independent analysis on repowering and lifetime extension will inform the forthcoming National Planning Statement on Wind Energy and the development of a policy framework for existing onshore wind farms; whether he accepts that delays in providing such a framework risk the loss of existing renewable generation capacity at a time when Ireland needs to accelerate renewable-energy deployment to meet its climate and energy targets, strengthen energy security and reduce costs for electricity consumers; and the timeline for putting such a framework in place. [68383/26]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is a world leader in onshore wind with over 5GW of installed capacity. The continued operation of Ireland's fleet of onshore wind farms is critical to ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply to 2030 and beyond. Repowering of existing wind farms has the potential to deliver an increase in energy generation, usually by replacing older, less efficient turbines with newer models with higher capacities, with limited additional environmental impact. Extension of lifetime of existing windfarms also has a key role to play in ensuring a secure, renewable electricity supply.

The Programme for Government 2025 highlights the role that repowering of existing wind farms can play in achieving our target of 9GW of onshore wind in the near term.

The Renewable Energy Directive requires Member States to introduce accelerated and simplified permitting procedures for the repowering of renewable energy projects.

My Department also engaged consultants to conduct an independent analysis on the repowering and life extension of Ireland’s current installed onshore wind energy projects. This analysis will help to inform the requirement for any necessary future policy framework that supports repowering of onshore wind farms.

A strengthened framework for repowering has been included in the Terms and Conditions of the upcoming RESS 6 auction published in July which provides strong incentives to efficiently repower existing wind farms and to align with the Renewable Energy Directive, as well as broader energy security, affordability and infrastructure objectives.

Through the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, my Department is also working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a range of policy measures, including repowering of existing renewable electricity projects and the development of a draft National Planning Statement on Wind.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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213. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government whether his Department has considered recommendations (details supplied), including its recommendations on accelerating the repowering and lifetime extension of existing wind farms; whether these recommendations are being considered as part of the independent analysis; and his plans for policy change in this area in the context of Ireland's climate and renewable-energy obligations and the need to deliver secure and affordable electricity for consumers. [68382/26]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is a world leader in onshore wind with over 5GW of installed capacity. The continued operation of Ireland's fleet of onshore wind farms is critical to ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply to 2030 and beyond. Repowering of existing wind farms has the potential to deliver an increase in energy generation, usually by replacing older, less efficient turbines with newer models with higher capacities, with limited additional environmental impact. Extension of lifetime of existing windfarms also has a key role to play in ensuring a secure, renewable electricity supply.

The Programme for Government 2025 highlights the role that repowering of existing wind farms can play in achieving our ambitious target of 9GW of onshore wind in the near term.

The Renewable Energy Directive requires Member States to introduce accelerated and simplified permitting procedures for the repowering of renewable energy projects. Through the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, my Department is working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a range of policy measures, including repowering of existing renewable electricity projects, to ensure that there is a supportive policy framework in place that facilitates the accelerated deployment of renewable developments and supports a streamlined process for repowering of existing windfarm projects.

My Department also engaged consultants to conduct an independent analysis on the repowering and life extension of Ireland’s current installed onshore wind energy projects. This analysis will help to inform the requirement for any necessary future policy framework that supports repowering of onshore wind farms.

A strengthened framework for repowering has been included in the Terms and Conditions of the upcoming RESS 6 auction published in July which provides strong incentives to efficiently repower existing wind farms and to align with the Renewable Energy Directive, as well as broader energy security, affordability and infrastructure objectives.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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214. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the independent analysis being undertaken in relation to the repowering and lifetime extension of Ireland's existing onshore wind farms; the current status of this work; and when he expects the analysis to be completed. [68381/26]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Repowering of existing wind farms has the potential to deliver an increase in energy generation, usually by replacing older, less efficient turbines with newer models with higher capacities, with limited additional environmental impact. Extension of lifetime of existing windfarms also has a key role to play in ensuring a secure, renewable electricity supply.

My Department engaged consultants to conduct an independent analysis on the repowering and life extension of Ireland’s current installed onshore wind energy projects. This analysis is currently being considered and will help to inform future policy requirements.

On foot of this analysis, a strengthened framework for repowering has been included in the Terms and Conditions of the upcoming RESS 6 auction published in July which provides strong incentives to efficiently repower existing wind farms and to align with the Renewable Energy Directive, as well as broader energy security, affordability and infrastructure objectives.

Through the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, my Department is also working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other stakeholders on a range of planning policy measures to support renewables, including repowering and life extension of existing renewable electricity projects.