Climate change body warns rollout of onshore solar and wind plants is behind schedule

CCAC chairwoman Marie Donnelly told the Oireachtas climate committee the small number of new onshore wind projects will not keep up with growing electricity demand, and will lead to price increases. Stock picture: PA

The independent body advising the Government on climate change has said it is concerned about the "near absence" of onshore wind projects with planning approval in the past 18 months.

Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) chairwoman Marie Donnelly told TDs and senators at the Oireachtas climate committee that deployment of onshore renewables is not on track and the current connection rates for both onshore wind and solar are significantly lower than Ireland requires to reach its 2025 and 2030 targets.

"For example, just four onshore wind projects, totalling nearly 70MW, have been approved in the planning system in the past 12 months, with one of these projects currently under appeal," she said.

The failure has implications in meeting growing electricity demand, and will likely increase in the average price that consumers will have to pay in the future, among other consequences, Ms Donnelly said.

Bernadette Power of the Department of Economics at UCC is leading the CoWind research project in partnership with additional Cork University Business School researchers and wind energy developer FuturEnergy Ireland. File picture: UCC

Failure to communicate properly to communities about the benefits of onshore windfarms is one of the major barriers for their acceptance, she said in response to questioning from West Cork TD Christopher O'Sullivan.

"I think we do have to ask ourselves the question why — with all the provisions that are in place, with the supports that are there, with popular support for climate action in the country — the communication message has not succeeded in connecting in people's minds a windfarm with keeping the lights on.

I would go further than just wind turbines, I would also say pylons. This is the reality of infrastructure that needs to be rolled out in order to benefit from our own natural resource and to be able to keep the lights on. 

"That message we have failed to communicate. It is a failure of all of us, really," she said.

It comes as new research led by University College Cork (UCC) found that early and meaningful engagement at the pre-planning stage, compensation to near neighbours, and the development of community amenities are some of the measures that increase the likelihood of acceptance of new wind farms in Ireland.

The CoWind research project, led by Bernadette Power of the Department of Economics at UCC in partnership with additional Cork University Business School researchers and wind energy developer FuturEnergy Ireland, also found that community ownership and co-ownership arrangements can positively impact local residents' acceptance of wind farms.

The project’s findings are to be discussed at an online event on Friday. 

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB