Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
187. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the input his Department has had into the development of solar energy development guidelines as initiated by the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14620/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for outlines the Government's commitment to deliver 80% of Ireland's electricity demand from renewable energy sources including ambitious target of 8 GW of solar energy capacity. At present, the total installed capacity of solar generation stands at over 2.4 Gigawatts. Government policy is focused on maintaining this momentum and delivering on our national ambitions.
To support this ambition, the Programme for Government sets out a commitment to introduce planning guidelines for solar farms. Planning matters fall within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who, I have been advised, is preparing a new national planning statement on solar energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024.
I am further advised that, as part of that work, a scoping process remains at an early stage to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of a national planning statement for solar energy development, including any including any appropriate environmental assessment, public consultation requirements, and other relevant European obligations including the renewable energy directive, which will ultimately determine the timeframe for publication of the planning statement.
Under the Government’s Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, officials from my Department will continue to liaise and work closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and other key stakeholders, on the ongoing planning and regulatory reforms, including the development of a national planning statement on solar energy, to ultimately support and facilitate the delivery of infrastructure that is critical to decarbonisation of Ireland’s economy and greater climate resilience.
