Budget ‘last opportunity’ to deliver offshore wind targets

Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) has warned that this year’s Budget will be the Government’s final opportunity to boost staffing and resources in key State agencies in time to deliver on 2030 climate targets.

In its pre-Budget 2026 submission, Affordable Energy, Competitive Economy: Powering Ireland’s Future, the organisation called for a €100 million Climate Recruitment Fund. This would be financed by annual contributions of €10 million over ten years to increase capacity across Government departments and agencies working on energy and climate policy.

WEI said additional staffing was needed to accelerate renewable energy projects, unlock private investment and ensure delivery of a new national offshore wind site map by the end of 2027. The map, announced earlier this year by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien, is due to identify locations capable of hosting 15 gigawatts of offshore wind generation.

Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of WEI, said State agencies including An Coimisún Pleanála, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Marine Institute did not have sufficient personnel to process renewable energy projects at the pace required.

“Budget 2026 is an opportunity to increase capacity within our State agencies and invest resources in the key building blocks for an Ireland which will be energy independent,” Mr Cunniffe said. “It is also likely our last chance to make investments that can make a significant difference in trying to hit our 2030 Climate Action Plan targets.”

The submission also urges Government to ensure funding is in place for the timely delivery of the National Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP). Mr Cunniffe said the map would not be ready by 2027 unless adequate resources and expertise were available. “The offshore wind industry has faced challenges with missed deadlines in the past and we cannot afford further delays,” he said.

WEI welcomed the recent announcement of an additional €3.5 billion to upgrade the electricity grid under the revised National Development Plan but called for further investment in energy storage and grid resilience to reduce renewable energy wasted during periods of high generation. Lost clean energy was worth an estimated €450 million last year.

Other recommendations include allocating €80 million for offshore wind port infrastructure, ensuring local authorities have the expertise to review County Development Plans, and increasing training budgets for renewable energy skills through bodies such as Skillnet Ireland and the National Maritime College of Ireland.

“Ireland has some of the best wind resources in the world,” Mr Cunniffe said. “If Government, industry and communities work closely together, we can become energy independent and deliver affordable, locally produced, clean energy for Irish families.”