2026-02-24

150. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline if his Department is giving consideration to the introduction of a land classification system that would inform the suitability of any proposed solar developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13391/26]

The programme for Government reaffirms Ireland's commitment to and our ambitious target of 8 GW of solar capacity connected to the grid by 2030, to assist with meeting the goal of 80% electricity demand supplied through renewables. Solar energy is now a growing source of electricity, with about 2.4 GW of solar power capacity in our grid and another 1 GW on rooftops. Going back 12 years, it was only 2 MW, so the growth is incredible. The installed capacity we have amounts to powering approximately 520,000 homes. As part of this capacity, as I said, there is already 1 GW of rooftop solar. However, further solar capacity is required for Ireland to meet its domestic and international targets. The ESB has indicated that Ireland could expect the 8 GW of solar in Ireland by 2030 to require an area equal to about 0.26% of all agricultural land, based on a similar study in the UK. The statutory designation of lands for renewable energy development is undertaken by local authorities as part of the city and county development plan process, which may incorporate a local authority renewable energy strategy or a wind energy strategy. The SEAI is undertaking an update to the 2013 local authority renewable energy strategy methodology. This provides a robust, evidence-based and consistent approach for local authorities for the identification, assessment and planning for renewable energy development within their jurisdiction. Furthermore, I have been advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is at the early stages of preparing a new national planning statement on solar energy under the Planning and Development Act 2024. Under the accelerating renewable electricity task force, officials from my Department will continue to work closely with both the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Department of housing on these ongoing reforms, which will act to support and facilitate the deployment of solar, which is critical to the decarbonisation of Ireland's economy and greater climate resilience.

I thank the Minister for his response. Proposals to prime agricultural land for renewable energy proposals have become common in recent years. Rural communities such as those in my constituency of Cork East are seeing acreage that long provided quality food produce being changed to acres of solar panels in a very short period. Development permission for up to 40 years sees traditional rural communities transformed for decades on the basis of one application. I appreciate that an increased provision of renewable energy sources is needed nationally. However, we have a particular problem developing in Cork East given our proximity to the grid, and limited attention is being paid to the quality of land being used. As such, is the Minister considering any further measures to introduce a land classification system similar to what exists in the UK, which would see the most fertile agricultural land protected against renewable development?

I understand the points the Deputy has raised. Solar is a relatively new but growing source of energy in Ireland. It is clean, green, sustainable and cheap energy. We have fine agricultural land across the country too and we need to make sure that we can continue to sustain our own population and sustain the agricultural and horticultural sector through our exports as well. We export over 80% of what we produce, as the Deputy knows. However, the advancement of renewables is critical to our energy security and to reaching our climate targets. The Deputy has rightly stated that any application that goes in for a wind farm, a solar farm or a biomethane plant is dealt with independently of the Government by the planning authority. I have seen applications approved; I have seen applications rejected. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is at initial stages of working on a national planning statement for the deployment of solar. It is important we are honest with people too, as the Deputy is being, that solar will continue to expand and is a very good source of clean energy for our country. It will reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuel as well and will ensure that we become energy-sovereign.

I thank the Minister again for his response. I note the work of the accelerating renewable electricity task force and its engagement with local authorities on the matter. I also appreciate that a public consultation invited submissions between September and October last year regarding national territory mapping under the EU renewable energy directive. Was there an appetite for such land classification as part of this process? How far is this process advanced in finalising national territory mapping?

I attended a public meeting in Abbeyknockmoy in my constituency last week. Power Capital is proposing to develop a very large solar project there. It is already developing one nearby in Grange. There are proposals to install a battery energy storage system as part of these projects. This has caused unease in those communities because in January of last year there was a fire at a separate lithium-ion system based in nearby Claregalway. Three fire fighters have not been able to return to work since dealing with that incident, and the local firefighters have said they are totally unprepared to deal with such incidents. These proposed solar farms and battery systems are in very close proximity to residential areas. I have submitted parliamentary questions on the safety and regulatory requirements for these systems, but there has been very little information coming back and very little in terms of fire safety. On behalf of those communities, I ask the Minister to outline any compliance regulations that are there to ensure that these systems are monitored and operated in a safe manner. Does he have concerns about the ability of the fire services to deal with any potential incidents? Will we see specific planning guidelines in this area?

I will respond first to Deputy McCarthy, who tabled the question. Most of us are for sustainable, clean, renewable energy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. We have had a good discussion and questions here about energy affordability. How do we drive that affordability? We drive that affordability by investing in our grid, by delivering projects like the North-South interconnector, by expanding our grid and grid resilience, and by expanding our renewables offering. There are communities that feel they have a concentration of different energy sources in their area. As the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, said in response to Deputy Ward, it is about looking at things like community benefit funds. I visited two battery installations in County Offaly last week, which are fully compliant with EU regulations. We need battery storage to deploy our energy at the right times. We need more renewables. We need onshore and offshore wind and onshore solar, or else we will continue importing gas from third countries.