We have the plan – now we need action

Under the revised Climate Action Plan, the targets for wind energy in Ireland have been set as 6 GW of onshore wind energy by the end of 2025, growing to 9 GW of onshore wind energy by 2030, and at least 7 GW of offshore wind energy by the end of 2030 with 2 GW of that to be used for green hydrogen production.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Our members are ready. We have the pipeline of projects to deliver the ambitious targets set in the Climate Action Plan and we are determined to play our part in cutting carbon emissions and reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels.

“Implementing this must become this Government’s top priority if it is serious about tackling the climate emergency and making Ireland energy independent. They will need support from right across Irish society. It is time to stop playing politics with the climate crisis and for all of us to work together to deliver the Climate Action Plan.

“If we succeed we will build an Ireland that is energy independent, delivering warmer homes, cleaner air and tens of thousands of new jobs, a leader in the fight against climate change and a better country in which to grow old and in which to raise our families.”

Irish wind farms currently provide approximately 35 per cent of the country’s power needs on an annual basis and save twice as much in carbon emissions as every other renewable energy technology combined.