Planning reforms would pave the way for significant onshore renewable energy development

Just three wind energy projects received planning decisions between July and September and planning body An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission to only a single new wind farm, as Cáit Caden reports 

In August, Statkraft Ireland's plans for a site designated for wind energy development were refused as ‘the area was re-zoned due to local political pressure'. Statkraft recently finished construction on Cloghan Wind Farm in Co Offaly. The nine-turbine, 34MW project could power as many as 27,000 homes.

Ireland’s onshore renewable energy journey has not been a smooth one.

The Government recently released the results of the fourth auction for onshore projects under the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) and while it was hailed as a success by many, the details tell a slightly different story.