Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
682. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated renewable energy planning guidelines will be published; the current status of their preparation and consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13280/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, my Department is committed to the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements (NPS) related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of NPS solar energy developments and for wind energy, following the conclusion of a review of the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. National Planning Statements replace Ministerial guidelines, often referred to as section 28 of the Act of 2000 and are subject to environmental screening and assessment and require approval by Government, such is the central importance of planning matters to delivery of objectives across a wide range of areas.
With regard to solar energy development, the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future reaffirms Ireland’s ambitious targets of 8 GW of solar capacity connected to the grid by 2030, to assist with meeting the requirement of 80% of electricity demand supplied by renewables. Solar energy is a growing source of electricity with circa 2.1 GW of solar power capacity currently installed in Ireland, however further solar capacity is required for Ireland to meet its domestic and international targets.
My Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of the National Planning Statement for solar energy development, including any appropriate environmental assessment and public consultation requirements and other relevant European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), which will determine the timeframe for publication of said guidelines. This scoping process remains at an early stage but I am satisfied that the existing and evolving planning system, supported by Government policy more generally, provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the rollout of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement.
The Programme for Government is also committed to a Land Use Review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The second phase of the Land Use Review, which is currently underway, will seek to identify the key demands on land (both public and private) to inform policies for land use across key government objectives, improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are working towards the conclusion of the second stage of the review. Any National Planning Statement on solar energy development will take into careful consideration the findings of the Land Use Review.
With regard to wind energy development, a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines is underway as part of the development a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The National Planning Statement will address key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of the National Planning Statement having regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
