Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
39. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the review and update of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines; the input his Department has provided to that process; the way in which the revised guidelines will support Ireland's energy security objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44539/26]
View answerMeeting our national targets for wind energy will require further integrating renewable technologies in proximity to communities in an appropriate manner in full consultation with those communities. In collaboration with my Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is currently reviewing the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement.
In that context, DHLGH is working closely with my Department on the preparation of this National Planning Statement for wind energy, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), and considerations such as setback distances, noise, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the DHLGH, has also been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose to support our target of meeting 80% of our electricity demand from renewable sources.
