Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2021
55. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated output of installed capacity of renewable energy available to the national grid by province; the steps he intends taking in ensuring that all areas of the country and their coastlines contribute equally to this national effort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61408/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, over 4.5 GW of renewable generation is connected to the electricity grid. The System Operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, publish every quarter an updated list of individually connected renewable generators on their websites including details of capacity and location.
The indicative electricity capacity targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021, envisage up to 8 GW of onshore wind, at least 5 GW of offshore wind and between 1.5 – 2.5 solar PV capacity by 2030. To meet these ambitious targets, it is vital that we take the necessary steps to deliver a more coherent spatial planning framework that supports the delivery of this additional electricity generation and aligns our national targets to the regional level. A series of actions are underway to deliver a more facilitative spatial planning framework for renewable electricity generation development. Specifically, the SEAI’s Methodology for Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategies will be revised to provide a best practice approach to identifying and assessing renewable energy resources in spatial planning at local authority level. Furthermore, my Department will set out an approach and target for the total onshore capacity that should be planned for on a national and regional level.
