No Timeline Yet for Solar Planning Statement

The Government cannot yet provide a timeline for publishing its national planning statement on solar energy, Seanad Éireann has heard.

Speaking in the Seanad, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Christopher O'Sullivan stated that he could not give an exact date for finalising the document. He noted that the Department, under Minister James Browne, is currently preparing approximately 28 national planning statements, including one recently completed on rural housing.

The issue was raised by Senator Mike Kennelly, who warned that local authorities, developers, and communities are currently dealing with solar applications without national guidelines. Kennelly cited north Kerry, where ten solar farm developments covering more than 4,000 acres in the Listowel municipal district are either approved or moving through the planning system. He argued that national planning guidance must set clear criteria on site suitability, visual impacts, glint and glare assessments, setback distances, screening, and the productive use of agricultural land.

Minister of State O'Sullivan confirmed that the Department of Housing is working alongside the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment to prepare planning statements linked to renewable targets. He highlighted that installed solar capacity passed 3 GW in August, working towards the Programme for Government commitment of connecting 8 GW of solar capacity to the grid by 2030 to help generate 80% of electricity demand from renewables.