Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
334. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for the publication of the draft revised wind energy development guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4097/24]
View answer335. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the draft revised wind energy guidelines on the significant work that has been undertaken on the noise elements; if he will provide details on the discussions his Department has had with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on new developments in this regard, including consideration of the impact of the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of Ireland electricity from renewable sources and the need to ensure that proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines are fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4098/24]
View answer336. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the discussions his Department has had with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on new developments on the noise elements, have included any multidisciplinary consultations with health professionals or noise experts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4099/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 334, 335 and 336 together.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature.
The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to this engagement, DECC appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is substantially complete. My Department, in conjunction with DECC in respect of its environmental noise remit, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
As part of the review process, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being carried out on the draft Guidelines. In this connection, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation in the coming months whereby individuals and organisations - health professionals and noise experts - will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft Guidelines.
With regard to the finalisation of the review process, the Climate Action Plan 2024 sets out a timeline of Q4 2024 for publication of the final, updated Guidelines and my Department is working towards meeting this commitment. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, or subject to enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
