Latest news with #NoelCunniffe
Irish Independent
17-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
EU Commission warns Ireland of court action and fines over wind, water and methane failures
In a notice delivered on Thursday, the Commission said Ireland had failed to comply with regulations requiring planning procedures for renewable energy developments to be simplified and made faster. This would include setting clear time limits for permit-granting procedures targeted to specific technologies or types of projects. It would also mean referring all projects to a single applications body – In Ireland's case, An Coimisiún Pleanála - whereas currently some go through local authority planning departments. The regulations also require adoption of the 'presumption that renewable energy projects and the related grid infrastructure are of overriding public interest'. This would make such projects harder to object to because of personal or localised concerns. The regulations were due to be written into Irish law, or 'transposed', by July 1 but Ireland, along with Portugal and Latvia, missed the deadline. The warning gives the Government two months to respond and complete the transposition. 'Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union with a request to impose financial sanctions,' it says. The warning comes the day after wind energy representatives warned politicians that no offshore wind projects would be complete by 2030 despite a Government target of having 5 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity [almost as much as the entire country uses on an average day] by then. Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland (WEI), told the Oireachtas Climate Committee that, at best, one of the five offshore wind projects currently in planning would be built by late 2030 but 2031 or 2032 was more likely. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Cunniffe said hold-ups in planning were a key obstacle, with state agencies not sufficiently resourced to deal with such complex planning applications. Responding to the Commission's warning, WEI said: 'To get clean, affordable, power to Irish families we need to be taking full advantage of changes in EU law designed to accelerate the development of wind power. 'While transposing this legislation is complicated, it is frustrating that it is taking so long and if this intervention from the EU Commission can help to speed up the process it is very welcome.' The Commission also notified the Government that it faces infringement proceedings for failing to properly transpose the EU's Drinking Water Directive. The directive was due to take effect by January 2023 but Ireland is accused of falling short on the regulations governing how temporary restrictions on water consumption are managed when contamination issues or concerns arise. Ireland also has two months to 'address the shortcomings'. In a third warning, the Commission told the Government it must comply with new regulations requiring improved measuring and reporting of methane emissions. Ireland was to provide details of which public authority would take charge of implementing the rules last February but has not done so.
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Wholesale electricity prices fall to lowest level since April 2024
The average wholesale price of electricity per megawatt hour fell for the fifth month in a row in June to €95.21, its lowest level since April 2024. On days last month with the most wind power, the average cost of a megawatt hour of electricity was €67.15 but this rose to €115.06 on days when the country relied almost entirely on fossil fuels. Irish wind farms met 30 per cent of electricity demand in June and Irish solar farms had a record month. Demand for electricity during June increased marginally, according to the report. Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland, said: 'Our members provided nearly a third of Ireland's electricity during the first half of 2025 and last month was a particularly strong June month for renewable energy generation. 'Our wind farms are Ireland's leading source of renewable electricity, playing a key role in reducing our dependency on imported fossil fuels and boosting Ireland's energy security. 'If we can accelerate the delivery of new wind and solar farms, we can continue to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels and put money back in people's pockets.' He said renewable energy has saved electricity consumers nearly €1 billion since 2000. 'Every time a wind turbine or a set of solar panels is generating electricity, it is pushing down wholesale electricity prices and increasing our supply of clean energy,' he said. 'Last year, wind farms like those in Kerry, Cork and Mayo helped Ireland save more than €1.2 billion on gas spending.' The information is based on data from Eirgrid's SCADA, compiled by MullanGrid, Electroroute, and Green Collective.
Irish Examiner
14-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Irish wind farms see record June with share of electricity rising to 30%
The share of electricity demand met by Irish wind farms rose slightly last month, growing to 30% in June. The monthly report from Wind Energy Ireland also shows that the demand for electricity during June increased marginally from 3,019 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 3,151 GWh in the same month last year. Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: 'Our members provided nearly a third of Ireland's electricity during the first half of 2025, and last month was a particularly strong June for renewable energy generation. 'If we can accelerate the delivery of new wind and solar farms, we can continue to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels and put money back in people's pockets.' The report confirms that wind energy generated 939 GWh in June, up from 771 GWh during the same month last year. The average wholesale price of electricity per megawatt hour dropped for the fifth month in a row to €95.21, the report found, marking the first time average wholesale prices have dropped under €100 so far this year and the lowest since April 2024. On the days with the most wind power, the average cost of a megawatt-hour of electricity last month was €67.15, but this rose to €115.06 on days when fossil fuels were almost entirely relied on. 'Affordability is critically important to Irish families and businesses," Mr Cunniffe added. 'Every time a wind turbine or a set of solar panels is generating electricity, it is pushing down wholesale electricity prices and increasing our supply of clean energy.' Based on data provided by Green Collective, Kerry wind farms provided more electricity than any other county last month, with 105 GWh of power, around 11% of the country's wind energy. This was followed by Cork (83 GWh), then Mayo (65 GWh), Galway (64 GWh) and Offaly (61 GWh). 'Last year, wind farms like those in Kerry, Cork and Mayo helped Ireland save more than €1.2bn on gas spending," said Mr Cunniffe. 'Rather than importing hundreds of millions of euros of gas, Irish wind farms ensured money stayed where it belongs, at home, supporting Irish workers and businesses.' 'To meet the needs of our growing economy, we need to accelerate the delivery of new wind farms, and we are committed to working with the Government to help make this happen.'
RTÉ News
12-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Wind farms provided 33% of Ireland's electricity so far this year
Irish wind farms have produced 33% of the country' electricity since the start of the year, new figures from Wind Energy Ireland show today. Wind Energy Ireland said around 22% of demand was meet by windfarms last month, up slightly when compared to May last year. It also said that wind farms had a significant impact on consumer bills and May marked the fourth consecutive month where average wholesale electricity prices have fallen. The average cost of a megawatt-hour of electricity was €68.66 on the windiest day, rising to an average across the month of €108.54. On the days when the country relied on imported gas, wholesale electricity prices were as high as €148.61. Kerry saw the highest wind energy output, followed by Cork and Galway in May. Noel Cunniffe, Wind Energy Ireland CEO, said that wind energy is driving down costs for consumers every month. "The more wind farms we can build, the less we are relying on imported fossil fuels, meaning lower carbon emissions and lower energy bills," he added. Meanwhile to mark Global Wind Day on 15 June, Wind Energy Ireland is inviting the public to explore their local wind farm. The "Get out in the wind" campaign celebrates the country's most abundant source of renewable electricity and the wind farms which supply clean, affordable power to Irish families and businesses. Noel Cunniffe said that Irish wind farms create jobs, support local communities, cut carbon emissions and cut energy bills. "But what people might not realise is that wind farms also have more local benefits, serving as havens for wildlife, and offering the perfect location for a variety of outdoor activities - from family walks and picnics, to hiking and biking," he said. The annual campaign helps people to understand how wind farms operate by enabling visitors to get up close to the source of more than a third of the country's electricity. Many wind farms are open to the public all year round, while several more are opening their doors for the month of June. Locations are open in Cavan, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow. Participating windfarms include Meenadreen Wind Farm in Co Donegal, whose trails form part of the scenic Leghowney Loop Walk, and Ireland's largest wind farm, Oweninny in Co Mayo.
Irish Examiner
31-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Public support for wind energy is fuelling optimism
As one of the country's greatest natural resources, wind energy is being backed by four out of five Irish people. A new national survey by Wind Energy Ireland found that 80% of the public support wind energy development, with 62% backing a wind farm in their local area — which marks a steady increase in support for Ireland's leading renewable resource. The survey found that more affordable electricity, reducing carbon emissions and positive environmental impacts were the driving factors of support. Wind energy's role in supporting Irish energy independence was also a leading motivator of public backing. 'Irish people are hugely supportive of wind energy and know it is the leading solution to rising energy costs and the climate emergency,' said Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland. 'Wind power is already helping to reduce electricity prices, cut carbon emissions, and create jobs in communities across the country. "With public support stronger than ever, we need to accelerate investment in grid infrastructure and skills to maximise the benefits for families, businesses and the environment." The report also found that 75% of those surveyed support offshore wind energy, with 82% recognising its role in securing Ireland's energy supply. 'Offshore wind represents an enormous opportunity for Ireland — it can be the basis of our national energy independence,' added Mr Cunniffe. 'Research has shown that Ireland's offshore wind farms could generate €38 billion for the Irish economy by 2050 if we can unlock its potential. "This survey proves we have the support of the Irish people but they want to see more and faster delivery. The Government needs to identify new sites for offshore wind energy projects around our coasts and reinforce the electricity grid to accommodate the enormous clean power these wind farms can produce.'
