The latest updates provided to my Department by ESB Networks and EirGrid indicate that approximately 250MW of new wind energy projects have or will be connected to the electricity this year across 7 projects.
In terms of future projected connections, over 400 MW of wind projects were successful in the second Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS) with expected delivery to take place between 2024 and 2025. A further 148 MW of wind energy projects were successful in the RESS 3 auction and will be expected to delivery between 2026 and 2027.
RESS is one the primary Government policies for facilitating the deployment of renewables including onshore wind and future RESS auctions will in part determine the pipeline of wind energy projects beyond 2027.
The RESS 3 auction volumes underpin the need for a much stronger pipeline of onshore wind and solar projects coming through the grid connection and permitting processes. They also highlight the urgent and critical need for greater alignment between local plans and renewable energy targets to support investment in, and delivery of, renewable energy projects.
The details of planning permissions for wind energy projects is primarily a matter for local authorities and An Bord Pleanala.