The new Irish government has committed to accelerating the deployment of renewables.
The Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Independent coalition has retained respective 9GW and 5GW onshore and offshore wind goals as part of what it says will be growth in the sectors, according to a programme for government published on Wednesday.
At least one RESS auction will be held annually while offshore wind development will be fast-tracked by the prioritisation of new lease areas.
The government has also pledged to “develop a strategic, regionally balanced approach to upgrades of ports to realise the economic potential of facilitating” offshore wind projects.
Elsewhere the document calls for fresh grid investment as well as an overhaul of planning.
The new government will also “explore funding models of the RESS and the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy which would reduce electricity bills for households and businesses”.
The administration will also “ensure that the necessary investment is made through the electricity transmission and distribution system by operators in the electricity grid”.