Planning Permission Key for Clean Energy Projects
Major EU funding is now flowing to Irish clean energy initiatives, with planning permission emerging as a critical factor for success.
The European Commission has awarded nearly €3.5 million to two Irish projects, HERO and BUSUnited, under the 2024 LIFE Programme. These projects are designed to tackle key deficits in Ireland’s clean energy sector, focusing on expanding home energy renovation services and addressing skills shortages in the construction industry. The funding will help scale up retrofitting efforts and train a new generation of workers, supporting the country’s climate targets and the broader European Green Deal.
Home energy renovation is a priority area, with the LIFE Programme providing co-financing typically between €1 million and €5 million for such projects. The HERO and BUSUnited initiatives will use these funds to pilot new approaches to deep energy retrofits, aiming to make renovations faster, more affordable, and more effective. This is especially important as Ireland seeks to reduce emissions from its building stock, a sector that has historically faced challenges with planning permission and regulatory compliance.
Skills development is another major focus, with the construction sector needing a significant workforce boost to meet the demands of the energy transition. The new projects will create training programmes and partnerships to upskill workers, ensuring that Ireland has the expertise needed for large-scale clean energy deployment. This includes addressing material contravention issues and ensuring that all developments meet environmental impact standards, which are essential for securing An Bord Pleanála decisions and other regulatory approvals.
Private sector involvement is also growing, with companies like Full Stack Energy and Aviva Investors forming strategic partnerships to expand their clean energy capabilities. Full Stack Energy, based in Limerick, has teamed up with Skipping Stone, a US energy consultancy, to combine expertise in decarbonisation and distributed energy management. Aviva Investors is collaborating with Irish energy infrastructure specialist Astatine to create a platform for funding and delivering renewable energy projects across Ireland and Europe. These collaborations highlight the importance of both public and private investment in driving the clean energy transition.
Planning permission remains a crucial hurdle for many clean energy projects, particularly those involving new infrastructure or large-scale renovations. Developers must navigate complex regulations, including those related to flood-risk development and housing scheme approval, to ensure their projects proceed smoothly. The increased funding and focus on skills and training should help streamline these processes, making it easier for projects to gain the necessary approvals and deliver tangible benefits for communities.
The LIFE Programme’s support for clean energy projects in Ireland is part of a broader EU effort to accelerate the energy transition and meet ambitious climate targets. With a total budget of approximately €5.4 billion for the 2021–2027 period, the programme is funding a wide range of initiatives, from energy efficiency upgrades to innovative new technologies. The success of these projects will depend not only on funding and technical expertise but also on effective planning and regulatory oversight.
As Ireland continues to pursue its clean energy goals, the role of planning permission and regulatory compliance will become even more important. Projects that can navigate these challenges and deliver positive environmental impact will be well-positioned to secure funding and support from both public and private sources. The recent EU grants to HERO and BUSUnited are a clear signal that Ireland’s clean energy sector is gaining momentum, with planning permission at the heart of this transformation.
Key points:
- EU grants nearly €3.5 million to Irish clean energy projects HERO and BUSUnited
- Funding targets home energy renovation and skills shortages in construction
- Planning permission is essential for project success and regulatory compliance
- Private sector partnerships are expanding clean energy capabilities
- LIFE Programme supports a wide range of initiatives to accelerate the energy transition
Planning permission will continue to be a vital factor as Ireland scales up its clean energy efforts, ensuring that projects meet environmental impact standards and deliver lasting benefits for communities.
Originally reported in on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:41:30 +0000. Full story
