Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
101. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proposed approach to setting renewable energy output targets at county level; the timeline for the announcement of such targets; the mechanisms by which they will be implemented and monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25716/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional Renewable Electricity Capacity Allocations for onshore wind and solar were included in the first revision of the National Planning Framework, or NPF, published in April 2025.
As outlined in National Policy Objective 74 and 75 of the NPF, these allocations will be planned for and integrated into Regional Renewable Energy Strategies, forming part of the assemblies revised Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. As part of these strategies, the Regional Assemblies will identify sub-allocations for each of their local authorities.
These local authority level allocations will in turn be planned for through the city and county development plans, ultimately leading to the identification and designation, by Local Authorities, of suitable areas where onshore wind and solar energy development will be directed towards. This will enable us to collectively meet our overall national targets for renewable electricity and greenhouse gas emissions.
As an action of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, and as part of a collaboration between the three Regional Assemblies, my Department, the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage and the SEAI, a methodology has been developed which provides guidance to the Regional Assemblies in identifying and agreeing robust and coordinated local authority level renewable electricity capacity allocations.
It is worth noting that, as of the 26 March, all three Regional Assemblies have commenced the review process of their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and have publish ‘Strategic Issue Papers’ as part of their public consultation process. These Issues Papers, available online, provide information on the key issues to be considered as part of the review process and seeks public input on how these issues should be addressed. Submissions received will inform the Assemblies' preparation of their draft strategies, which are scheduled for publication in Quarter 4 2026.
