Ireland’s Green Energy Challenge
EU Warnings and the Path Forward for Businesses
The European Union has issued the Republic of Ireland a warning following its delays in streamlining green energy. The government had to make the revised Renewable Energy Directive 2023/2413 part of their laws by July to accelerate green energy permitting. After the Republic failed to do so, the EU has warned that it must introduce new rules to speed up planning approval and other permits for green energy projects into Irish law.
This is reflective of broader trends within Europe, as only Denmark successfully implemented the Renewable Energy Directive, while all other 26 countries, including Ireland, had yet to do so. However, the news comes following Ireland’s lack of competitiveness in renewable energy infrastructure. In the recent report by the European Central Bank, The Future of European Competitiveness, Mario Draghi, former President of the ECB, outlined key bottlenecks to the uptake of renewable energy in Europe. In it, Ireland, along with Greece and Spain, was spotlighted for processes lasting more than three or even four years for ground-mounted solar.
The delays in streamlining green energy come at a challenging time for Ireland’s energy transition. Many have noted that Ireland must advance its sustainable grid infrastructure as energy demands continue to increase. Ireland’s data centres now consume 21% of its electricity, a figure that’s projected to reach 27% by 2028, highlighting significant strain on energy infrastructure. To balance growth with sustainability, Ireland must advance offshore wind and off-grid solutions, which could not only ease grid demand but also attract further investment from major firms like Amazon, promising a cleaner energy future.
The Irish Government has made clear progress on policies that will help it reach net zero. The 2024 Climate Action Plan aims to install 8GW of solar by 2030. However, Irish energy industry groups warn that delays in planning permissions and grid connections are stalling wind and solar projects. These setbacks risk Ireland’s ability to meet critical green energy targets, which depend on the rapid development of renewable energy sources to reduce emissions.
Ireland’s slow progress in green energy permitting threatens its climate commitments, but businesses can still take impactful steps. With growing demand and rising energy costs, investing in solar energy offers a powerful way for businesses to lead the energy transition and reduce their costs. As Ireland works to enhance infrastructure and meet EU standards, commercial solar investments help address the urgent need for clean energy, cut operational expenses, and contribute directly to national goals.
If you would like to learn more about solar for your business, reach out to a member of our team here.