Wind Energy Ireland launches Local and European Election manifesto

Councillors and MEPs must help build Irish energy independence

Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) has launched its Local and European election manifesto, encouraging candidates running in the upcoming elections to lead the way in supporting Ireland’s energy revolution and making this country energy independent.

The document, titled, Building Energy Independence for Ireland, outlines Wind Energy Ireland’s priorities for the 2024 Local and European Elections that will take place next month.

It highlights the urgent need to develop our renewable energy industry to provide clean energy that will not only bring down the cost of our energy bills but also create job opportunities and boost local economies.

Speaking about the launch of the manifesto, Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland said: “Our local communities and businesses want affordable energy, clean energy and the peace of mind that energy security brings.

“We believe that the Local and European Elections provide an opportunity for candidates to be ambitious in their vision for the growth of Ireland’s energy future.

“If we all work together, we will deliver cleaner power, more affordable power and lay the foundation for Irish energy independence for our communities.”

Local Election priorities

WEI's top priorities for the local election include ensuring that Local Authority County Development Plans (CDPs) support national policy on climate action as well as prioritising the delivery of local electric vehicle charging infrastructure and working to electrify Council transport fleets as quickly as possible.

Noel Cunniffe said: “At a local level, our City and County Councils can help to ensure that the foundations are in place not only to help us meet our climate targets, but to help develop a cleaner and more secure future for our families and our communities across Ireland.

“That means working to support national policy on climate action and ensuring that there are enough suitable areas zoned for wind farm development to achieve the targets set out in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan”.

Noel Cunniffe added: “It is also an opportunity begin empowering our local communities to be part of Ireland’s response to the climate emergency, to be leaders in our renewable energy revolution.

“An important part of any plan to cut our carbon emissions must be to electrify transport. Developing our local electric vehicle (EV) charging network and providing the right infrastructure for people making the switch to EVs should be at the centre of our efforts to inspire people to change. Councils can show real leadership here by investing in electrifying the Council transport fleet over the next five years.”

European Election priorities

Wind Energy Ireland is encouraging MEP candidates to address the need to invest in developing a strong Irish and European electricity grid that can distribute clean, affordable power from where it is generated to where it is needed.

Noel Cunniffe said: “Every year, about 10 per cent of Ireland’s cheapest renewable electricity is lost because our existing grid is simply not strong enough or efficient enough to carry all the renewable electricity that our wind farms produce.

“That is why we are encouraging candidates to include the development and funding of key infrastructure projects, like building our electricity grid, in their top priorities for election.

“There is a particular responsibility on candidates in the Midlands North-West constituency to loudly and publicly support delivery of the North-South Interconnector as quickly as possible.”

Wind Energy Ireland is also calling on our future MEPs to urge the Irish Government to seek the energy portfolio for the next Irish member of the new EU Commission.

Noel Cunniffe said: “The development of a thriving wind energy sector in Ireland cannot be achieved by local and national politics alone – an energy secure and independent Ireland must be at the heart of an energy independent and competitive Europe.

“Our MEPs can work with our own Government and the EU Commission to ensure that we do not just decarbonise Ireland but, as a potential net exporter of clean energy, that we play our part in building a more sustainable and competitive European Union.

“Ireland has a fantastic story to tell. We are world leaders in the development of onshore wind and in the integration of renewable energy into our electricity system. We can be a voice for renewable energy in Europe.

“Working together, we can build a future with cleaner air and thousands of green jobs in revitalised rural and coastal communities. We can build an Ireland, a Europe, where we have evolved beyond fossil fuels to our clean energy future.”

WEI’s Local and European Election 2024 manifesto is available to read in full here.