The Irish wind energy industry has launched its General Election manifesto, encouraging candidates running in the upcoming election to lead the way in supporting the country’s energy revolution and achieving energy independence.
The document Building Irish Energy Independence outlines Wind Energy Ireland’s (WEI) priorities for the next Dáil and the next government.
WEI chief executive Noel Cunniffe (pictured) said: “Wind power is our number one, and cheapest, source of renewable energy. Irish people want the affordable, clean energy that wind farms provide.
“We believe that the General Election provides an opportunity for candidates to be ambitious in their vision for Ireland’s energy future and to stand up for Irish electricity consumers.
“If government, industry and communities work closely together, we can secure our own supply of electricity produced here in Ireland and deliver more affordable, clean energy for Irish families.”
WEI’s top priorities for the General Election include the next administration prioritising implementing the new Planning and Development Act.
It also calling for reinforcing Ireland’s electricity grid to become a national priority and planning for beyond 2030.
This means developing a strategy for electrification, supporting floating wind energy, enabling long-duration energy storage and announcing a firm target for a net-zero electricity system, the representative body said.
Cunniffe added: “At a national level, the Dáil must ensure that the foundations are in place not only to help us meet our climate targets, but to help develop a cleaner and more secure future for our families and our communities across Ireland.
“That means ensuring the planning system, at every level, has the resources and expertise needed to process the increasing volume of renewable energy applications entering the system.
“Our first new offshore wind energy projects in a generation have entered the planning system this year.
“They need to be supported at every step and be given the opportunity to engage with the relevant state agencies to give them the best possible chance of getting planning permission.
“It is also important that our elected representatives actively ensure that planning policy at national and local levels are aligned to deliver the amount of onshore renewable energy needed by Irish consumers to cut their bills and our carbon emissions.”