Wind Energy Generation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2023

Wednesday, 15 February 2023

Questions (43)

Bríd Smith

Question:

43. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the timeframe for the publication of the revised wind energy development guidelines and the reason for the significant delay in publishing it; if the regulations will bring us up to EU norms with regard to distance to turbines and noise levels; whether the Government will continue to outsource the provision of renewable energy to foreign multinationals if it will establish a State-led, nationalised model of provision for wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7488/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I refer to the reply to Question No 214 of 26 January 2023 provided by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The preparation and adoption of statutory planning guidelines are a function of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, pursuant to Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). As such, the Minister has no statutory role in their preparation or adoption. The preparation of revised Wind Energy Guidelines is an action provided for in the Climate Action Plan 2023 (reference no. EL/23/4, table 12.7), and reflecting the relevant statutory provisions, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the designated lead department. My Department will be supporting this review and work is already underway to input into the process over the course of 2023.

The Government has no plans to move to a state-led model for the development of wind energy. The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate as a competitive market. As such, while state-owned bodies may own and operate renewable energy developments, these bodies do so on a commercial basis and the State itself does not directly own or operate any such generation assets.