A new report by Wind Energy Ireland has claimed that up to 76 windfarms around the country will see their planning permission expire between now and 2030.
Wind Energy Ireland says it is not seeking a planning exemption for existing windfarms that wish to continue operating, but does want the renewal process to be streamlined. Ireland's oldest windfarm is over three decades old, but still continues to generate power, and the organisation argues that the life of many others could be extended by up to a decade or more.
Under EU law there is a provision that allows for a presumption in favour of the granting of planning permission to applications for repowering, Wind Energy said, and it wants this to be incorporated into the new Planning and Development Bill 2023.