Wind Energy Ireland launches General Election manifesto

Calls on new TDs to help build Irish energy independence

The Irish wind energy industry has launched its General Election manifesto, encouraging candidates running in the upcoming election to lead the way in supporting Ireland’s energy revolution and achieving energy independence.

The document, Building Irish Energy Independence, outlines Wind Energy Ireland’s priorities for the next Dáil and the next Government.

It highlights the urgent need to develop renewable, clean energy that will help to bring down bills, create jobs and boost rural and coastal economies.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland said: “Wind power is our number one, and cheapest, source of renewable energy. Irish people want the affordable, clean energy that wind farms provide.

“We believe that the General Election provides an opportunity for candidates to be ambitious in their vision for Ireland’s energy future and to stand up for Irish electricity consumers.

“If Government, industry and communities work closely together, we can secure our own supply of electricity produced here in Ireland and deliver more affordable, clean energy for Irish families.”

General Election priorities

WEI’s top priorities for the General Election include:

• Planning: The planning system for renewable energy is broken and the next Government should prioritise implementing the new Planning and Development Act. We need a robust, workable, system that can deliver the volume of projects needed to achieve energy independence. County Development Plans should support, not undermine, climate action.
• Electricity grid: Reinforcing Ireland’s electricity grid is a national priority. We need investment and vocal political support for a strong electricity network that will eliminate waste, attract investment and get clean, affordable, power from where it is generated to where it is needed.
• Beyond 2030: Ireland’s 2030 Climate Action Plan targets are important but we need to start planning – now – for the next decade. This means developing a strategy for electrification, supporting floating wind energy, enabling long-duration energy storage and announcing a firm target for a net-zero electricity system.

Noel Cunniffe said: “At a national level, the Dáil must 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 ensuring the planning system, at every level, has the resources and expertise needed to process the increasing volume of renewable energy applications entering the system.

“Our first new offshore wind energy projects in a generation have entered the planning system this year. They need to be supported at every step and be given the opportunity to engage with the relevant State agencies to give them the best possible chance of getting planning permission.

“It is also important that our elected representatives actively ensure that planning policy at national and local levels are aligned to deliver the amount of onshore renewable energy needed by Irish consumers to cut their bills and our carbon emissions.”

Wasted energy

This year is on track to be the worst year on record for the amount of wind energy lost because the electricity grid is simply not strong enough. Over the first nine months of the year 14 per cent of wind energy production was lost because of challenges with the transmission network.

Noel Cunniffe added: “Every year we are losing more and more of Ireland’s cheapest renewable electricity because our existing grid is simply not strong enough to carry all the renewable electricity that our wind farms produce.

“It is 2024, long past time we had an electricity grid fit for the 21^st century.

“Our TDs – whether in Government or in Opposition, have a responsibility to actively campaign for a stronger electricity grid. They must work with Government Departments, EirGrid and ESB Networks to support their essential work of developing and upgrading our electricity transmission infrastructure.”

Beyond 2030

The last Oireachtas set our 2030 targets and it will be up to those next elected to identify plans and targets for the next decade.

Noel Cunniffe continued: “Ireland can, and will, be energy independent. The next Oireachtas must determine when this happens.

“The climate emergency must be at the centre of policymaking to achieve a goal of net-zero emissions by no later than 2050. We need to see the next Government put in place the policies to support newer technologies like floating wind energy and long-duration energy storage.

“Ireland has lagged behind in the electrification of our energy system. More must be done to encourage largescale electrification of heat and transport while setting a specific target by which we will have a fully decarbonised electricity system.”

Noel Cunniffe concluded: “Ireland is part of a renewable energy revolution taking place across Europe.

“The choices we make in the next General Election will shape our energy future, that of our children and our country.

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

WEI’s General Election manifesto is available to read in full here.