Page Contents
Key contacts
Related areas
The Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP25) is the third annual statutory update to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. CAP25 builds on previous Climate Action Plans by refining and updating the measures required to deliver carbon budgets and sectorial emission ceilings. It provides a roadmap for taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by no later than 2050.
CAP25 reports on key workstreams being undertaken by other industry bodies seeking to maximise delivery of renewable energy. Some of those workstreams as they relate to renewable energy are highlighted below.
Ireland’s progress to date
Renewable energy expansion
CAP25 re-affirms the previous commitment to increasing the share of renewable electricity to 50% by 2025 and 80% by 2030. Overall, the share of renewable electricity generation in Ireland increased from 38.6% to 40.7% from 2022 to 2023. The figure for 2024 will most likely fall somewhere between 40% and the interim, end of year target of 50% set out in CAP25.
The targets are:
These targets are unchanged for the previous two years. The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) continues to support the deployment of renewable energy projects. There was an additional 1,334MW (more than a 20% increase on current installed capacity) of renewable generation capacity secured in 2024. The timetable for the fifth RESS auction (RESS 5) is due to be published this month.
Planning and regional renewable electricity capacity allocations
CAP25 underlines the important role the planning regime will play in developing Ireland’s renewable energy capacity.
The draft revised National Policy Framework (the draft NPF) introduces regional renewable electricity capacity allocations for each of three ‘Regional Assemblies’ to be achieved by 2030. The ‘Regional Assemblies’ are the Eastern and Midlands assembly, the Northern and Western assembly and the Southern assembly. The table below shows each region’s existing energised capacity and additional minimum renewable electricity capacity allocations. Per CAP25, the target capacity allocations are the minimum required for wind and solar generation to meet the 2030 emissions reductions in the electricity sector.
The new capacity allocations take on particular importance in light of the decision in Coolglass v An Bord Pleanála, where Mr Justice Humphries held that public bodies must act consistently with climate objectives and policies so far as practicable.
Regional Assemblies and Local Authorities will be required to plan for sufficient wind and solar energy development in order to achieve the targeted regional renewable electricity capacity allocations set out below and contained in the National Planning Framework.
Following the commencement of Section 29 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (the PDA 2024), each Regional Assembly is required to prepare a Regional Renewable Energy Strategy (RRES) as part of a wider review of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. These strategies will outline how regional renewable electricity capacity allocations that are set out in the draft revised NPF can be best achieved in a coordinated and sustainable manner, including through the identification of specific minimum targets for each constituent local authority.
The PDA 2024 includes provisions for faster permit-granting deadlines and improved coordination across different levels of government. Furthermore, the draft revised NPF includes policy support for the development and upgrading of electricity grid infrastructure and the delivery of renewable electricity generation capacity.
In addition to the above, the SEAI is leading the development of updated Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategy guidelines. These guidelines will inform the revision of City/County Development Plans, ensuring the spatial allocation of local authority-level renewable energy targets.
Offshore renewable energy
In relation to offshore renewable energy, CAP25 points to the continued work being done by the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, which continues to oversee actions required to develop offshore wind generation in Ireland. The Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy Policy Statement, which was published in May 2024, sets out the actions required to deliver up to 20GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040 and 37GW by 2025. The South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (the South Coast D-MAP) for Offshore Renewable Energy, a statutory spatial plan to guide development and investment in offshore renewables, was made operative in October 2024.
The plan provides a clear pathway for the development of offshore windfarms. The South Coast D-MAP is an important facet of Phase 2 Offshore Wind development. The South Coast D-MAP as well as plans for the development of Phase 2 Offshore Wind development were reported on in our ‘Energy 2025 look forward’, available here.
Grid infrastructure and flexibility
Work to accelerate the reinforcement of the electricity grid is ongoing, with EirGrid and ESB Networks delivering a number of infrastructure projects. This includes the development of new interconnectors such as the 500MW Greenlink Interconnector to Great Britan which became operational this year and the 700MW Celtic Interconnector to France in 2027. Furthermore, the Electricity Storage Policy Framework 2024 highlights the role of electricity storage in ensuring grid stability and supporting renewable energy development. This framework includes ten Government actions to support the development and integration of electricity storage solutions.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (the CRU) published a new electricity grid connection policy in September which includes the introduction of permit-granting deadlines and a second annual connection offer window in order to further support the connection of renewables to the grid. The CRU also published a decision on Hybrids-Installed Capacity Cap and opened a public consultation on the sharing of maximum export capacity in January.
Demand management
The CRU National Energy Demand Strategy (NEDS), published in July, is CRU's plan to deliver the key regulatory measures necessary to allow all energy system users to benefit from a more flexible energy system, reduce the strain on the power system and maximise renewables potential. Actions under the NEDS will contribute to developing a plan-led, spatial approach to facilitate the co-location of future renewable electricity supply and large-scale energy demand.
Of note for those carefully watching the development of the Large Energy Users Connection Policy, CAP25 reports that the finalised policy will ensure that new Large Energy User grid connections do not contribute to energy security challenges and that the power system decarbonises new demand in line with climate targets.
Conclusion
CAP25 is the third annual statutory update to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan. It highlights the important work being done by several industry bodies to deliver greater amounts of renewable energy capacity. As such, CAP25’s success will depend on the success of the underlying workstreams. In particular, the effectiveness of the PDA 2024 in conjunction with the NPF in encouraging local and regional authorities to ramp up approval of renewable energy projects remains crucial to achieving Ireland’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.
For more information please contact authors John Dallas, partner, Ross Moore, partner or any member of the Energy, Infrastructure & Natural Resources team.
Date published: 17 April 2025
