Dozens of wind farms are at risk from outdated planning decisions
The report commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland and conducted by MKO states that up 76 wind farms will reach the expiration of their planning permission by 2030. This could result in the loss of capacity of 854 megawatts if planning permissions are not extended or granted for repowering and end with the decommissioning of the associated windfarms. The report notes that if these windfarms expire the Government’s climate targets are ‘essentially unachievable and increase Ireland’s reliance on energy imports.’
Wind Energy Ireland’s Chief Executive, Noel Cunniffe states, “There is simply no reason, in the middle of twin climate and energy crises, to decommission operational wind farms because of planning restrictions, unsupported by evidence, imposed decades ago.” WEI provided recommendations to maintain Ireland’s onshore wind energy which includes allowing for a simpler pathway to get permission by planning authorities to extend permission as well as increasing the planning permission lifetime for future onshore wind farms to align with regulator requirements.