Record quarter for wind energy approvals from An Bord Pleanála

An Bord Pleanála approved seven wind energy projects in the first three months of 2025, with a combined capacity of 402 MW, and rejected none. This made it one of the board’s best quarters in recent years for renewable energy projects.

However, while this was a very successful quarter, the 402 MW of wind energy approved was still significantly short of the board’s target for the quarter of 555 MW if the Climate Action Plan is to be achieved.

Four new projects, with a capacity of 203 MW, entered the planning system so that by the end of Q1 there were 27 projects awaiting decision with a combined capacity of 1,399 MW.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “This has been an excellent start to the year with a big jump in approvals from An Bord Pleanála. Every turbine we get through the planning system means more affordable and cleaner power for Irish families and businesses.

“At a time when our economy is under threat from tariffs, energy costs and global uncertainty Irish wind farms are a ready-made solution. Since 2020 they have cut bills for consumers by almost €1.7 billion. That’s around €320 per person and that’s good for your pocket.

“Although this is an impressive first quarter performance it is still short of the volume of renewable energy we need to be getting through the planning system if we’re to deliver the Government’s Climate Action Plan and legally binding reductions in carbon emissions.”

Reform and resource

Wind Energy Ireland highlighted the need for improvements to the planning system to accelerate the delivery of renewable energy infrastructure.

Ireland missed the 1 July 2024 deadline to transpose provisions in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III) which would speed up the planning system for renewables by cutting timelines for decisions and identifying more areas to develop renewable energy.

Noel Cunniffe said: “We need to accelerate the delivery of new onshore and offshore wind farms and reinforce the electricity grid in a very short time. We must have a planning system that enables us to do this.

“That means taking the tools the EU has given us to speed up the planning system for renewable energy and providing An Bord Pleanála and other key stakeholders the resources they need to effectively implement the RED III directive.

“Until this happens, Ireland will struggle to get the volume of projects we need through the planning system and consumers will remain vulnerable to high gas prices.”