Winds of change needed to meet energy targets...

Industry calls for 'last opportunity' Budget action

- CILLIAN SHERLOCK

THE Irish wind industry has warned the upcoming Budget will be the “last opportunity” to put in place sufficient resources to meet 2030 renewable energy targets. 

In a Budget submission, representative body Wind Energy Ireland called on the Government to increase resources for the planning system to accelerate renewable energy projects.

Chief executive Noel Cunniffe said: “The reality is that the country’s planning system is still seriously underfunded.”

He said local authorities, An Bord Pleanala, the National Park and Wildlife Service and the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority must agree on the number of staff needed to deliver projects under the Climate Action Plan.

It said a fast-track recruitment process for these bodies should be resourced and €1million should be allocated to the Irish Environmental Network to support organisations working on renewable energy.