The Renewable Energy Directive requires Member States to introduce accelerated and simplified permitting procedures for the repowering of renewable energy projects. Planning matters fall under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the decision to repower individual projects is a matter for developers.
Through the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, officials in my department are working closely with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a range of policy measures to ensure that there is a supportive policy framework in place that facilitates the accelerated deployment of onshore wind and solar farm developments and supports a streamlined process for repowering of renewable electricity generation projects.
Ireland is a world leader in onshore wind and the continued operation of Ireland's fleet of onshore wind farms is critical to ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply to 2030 and beyond.
Repowering of existing wind farms has potential to deliver an increase in generation capacity, usually by replacing older, less efficient turbines with newer models with higher capacities, with limited additional environmental impact while maintaining electricity system security of supply.
Continued operation of existing renewable energy through permitting and other means as well as repowering will be critical to underpin the delivery of Ireland's 80% by 2030 renewable electricity target, that emissions reductions are delivered at least cost to households and businesses and security of electricity supply is maintained.
While the repowering of windfarms in Ireland is an important future policy consideration, no specific analysis has been carried out or funding provided by my Department to date.
