Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
351. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a planning permission application is required where a windfarm owner seeks to renew wind turbines and extend the life of the windfarm through the installation of new generators or turbine propellor blades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2657/24]
View answerIn accordance with section 34 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, it is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application for planning permission, including an application in respect of a wind energy development, on a case-by-case basis and to decide whether to grant permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission.
When granting planning permission for a wind farm development, in most cases planning authorities attach a condition to the permission that limits the operational lifespan of the development. In such a case, a new planning application would be required where it is proposed to extend the operational lifespan of an existing wind farm development for a further specified period of time.
In addition to conditions regarding the operational lifespan of a development, the Wind Energy Development Guidelines (2006) advise that wind energy developments may also be subject to conditions requiring that future re-equipping be agreed in writing with the planning authority or be the subject of a separate planning application. In this context, re-equipping is generally understood to mean the replacement of existing turbines with new, more efficient models.
