Wind Energy Ireland welcomes publication of Government planning reform proposals

The Irish wind energy industry has welcomed the publication of the outline of the proposed Planning and Development Bill and said it has the potential to accelerate the delivery of renewable energy if the proposed reforms are backed by adequate resources.

Delays in the planning system are already slowing the rate of connection of new wind farms.

Although An Bord Pleanála has a statutory timeframe to decide applications from wind energy projects in 18 weeks the average time for a decision is over a year and some projects have waited more than two years for a decision.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Our planning system is not fit for purpose. We cannot build the on and offshore wind farms we need to cut our carbon emissions unless applications for planning permission are processed much more quickly.

“Putting timelines in place for planning decisions to be made would be a huge boost for our industry and would help to make our Climate Action Plan targets much more achievable.

“Our members will need to examine the legislation in detail once it is published next month but it will be critical to ensure that any reforms are supported by appropriate resources in An Bord Pleanála, the NPWS and for key environmental stakeholders.”

ENDS