Just one new wind farm approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála in Q3 2025

In the third quarter of 2025 An Coimisiún Pleanála approved just one new wind farm – around 7 per cent of the volume of wind energy needed during this period to keep Ireland on track with its Climate Action Plan targets.

That is according to the latest quarterly report published today by Wind Energy Ireland on the number of wind energy projects getting through the planning system, which also reveals a big increase in the number of applications from new projects to the commission.

The new wind farm approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála last quarter has a capacity of 46 MW. Wind Energy Ireland estimates that, to achieve the 9,000 MW of onshore wind energy required by 2030 in the Climate Action Plan, An Coimisiún Pleanála would have needed to approve 665 MW during this period.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Irish people want clean, affordable and secure energy. That is what wind farms deliver but we will need more of them to provide the power Irish families, businesses and communities demand.

“It is disappointing that quarters two and three of this year have been so bad for planning decisions on renewable energy projects from An Coimisiún Pleanála.

“Before we can build new wind farms, they have to make it through the planning system and right now, we are not getting nearly enough projects approved to get back on track for 2030.

“The reality is projects are going in for planning in much greater amounts than we’re getting decisions which is creating a growing backlog and undermining efforts to connect Ireland’s most affordable source of new electricity generation.”

Increase in volume of new wind energy

Even though overall planning decisions slowed this quarter, the volume of new wind energy applying for planning permission (613 MW) was high, showing a strong pipeline and the industry’s commitment delivering Ireland’s clean energy transition.

Noel Cunniffe added: “While the last quarter saw a slowdown in decisions on renewable planning applications, it is encouraging to see such a high volume of new wind projects entering the planning system with 10 new projects submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in the last quarter alone.

“It shows Ireland has a significant pipeline of projects and our members are committed to delivering cleaner, more affordable electricity, which benefits consumers today and future generations to come.

“It is vital that we build back up the momentum through the final quarter of 2025 so that we can see more renewable energy projects getting into construction and providing the clean power our country needs.”

Planning backlog

Wind Energy Ireland’s quarterly planning reports show that, so far this year, An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved less than a third of the new wind capacity needed to keep Ireland on track for its 2030 renewable energy targets.

Its analysis also confirms that the planning backlog now exceeds 2,000 MW of onshore wind – equivalent to around 40 per cent of Ireland’s entire existing onshore wind capacity.

Noel Cunniffe concluded: “We need a well-resourced planning system, which prioritises renewable energy and takes full advantage of changes in EU law designed to accelerate the development of wind power.

“Investing in our planning system is an investment in our future and in Irish energy independence. The projects are clearly there but now we desperately need action.”