As you may be aware, work is underway to develop a National Planning Statement for Wind Energy under the Planning and Development Act 2024, which will replace the current Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 and reflect the evolving planning policy and legislative framework as well as recognising the considerable technological advances that have occurred since the publication of the 2006 Guidelines.
Ireland currently has over 5 GW of onshore wind generation with a target of 9 GW provided for in the Climate Action Plan and the National Planning Framework, by 2030. Meeting our national targets for wind energy is imperative to securing our energy security, both for delivery of critical public services and underpinning our economy. This will require further integrating renewable technologies in an appropriate manner and in full consultation with local communities.
Delivery of this National Planning Statement has been assigned to a dedicated unit within the Planning Division of my Department, with a Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer and two Administrative Officers leading on various regulatory and legislative aspects of this policy area, including matters such as noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII), repowering, community dividend and grid connections. This team is supported by technical expertise, both internal and where appropriate, external, in environmental law, environmental assessment; noise, planning policy, renewable energy and the ecological sciences.
The PO-led team is working on a range of measures to progress the Government's ambitious targets regarding climate action, energy security and renewable energy infrastructure, including wind energy development and has also has responsibility for where Ireland's commitments and international obligations regarding climate and the environment interact with the planning system more generally.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Climate, Environment, and Energy (DCEE) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the National Planning Statement, which is highly technical in nature.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being carried out on the draft National Planning Statement as part of the review process. In this regard, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation on updated draft Guidelines as part of the SEA process whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft National Planning Statement. A finalised National Planning Statement will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase and this in turn will be subject to approval of Government.
To date, €31,860 has been incurred by my Department on works relating to ongoing SEA process. Costs relating to the work on the noise aspects of the review are a matter for the DCEE, who are the policy lead on that aspect of the NPS.
