The developer-led approach cannot continue if Ireland is to achieve its end-decade renewable electricity target of 80%, Wind Energy Ireland 2022 heard today.
Eirgrid chief executive Mark Foley said the power sector is approaching a “fundamental point of philosophical difference” on the way forward.
Foley credited the wind industry’s entrepreneurial spirit with delivering the 40% by 2020 goal and said the grid company has honoured all connection agreements to date.
However, he warned that for 2030 and beyond “more structure” is required on how generation is sited and planned.
The full details are revealed in today’s special reNEWS show daily on Day 2 of Wind Energy Ireland event.
Elsewhere in the show daily, find out how acreage deemed suitable for onshore wind farm construction has decreased substantially in local authority development plans, and how the Irish government is being urged to bring together industry, state agencies and departments to unlock domestic supply chain growth associated with offshore wind.
The show daily also looks at how floating offshore wind on Ireland’s Atlantic coast could be a source of cheap power for green hydrogen production.