The Irish wind energy industry has presented its electoral manifesto ahead of the upcoming general elections, with an urgent call for candidates to lead the country’s energy revolution. 

In the manifesto Building Irish Energy Independence: Priorities for the next Dáil, Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) outlines the priorities for the next legislators and government, emphasizing the need for an energy transformation that benefits sector development. 

The main priorities of the manifesto include efficient planning, strengthening the electricity grid, and taking steps for energy planning beyond 2030. 

Regarding planning efficiency, the manifesto points out that the renewable industry needs a robust and functional planning system to allow the development of projects at the scale necessary to achieve energy independence. 

The manifesto calls on the new government to effectively implement the new Planning and Development Act and ensure that County Development Plans support climate action. 

Concerning the strengthening of the electricity grid, the manifesto calls for the modernization of the transmission infrastructure to manage the growing renewable energy production, preventing the waste of wind energy that is currently lost due to deficiencies in the grid. Cunniffe emphasizes that this is an urgent challenge that requires active collaboration between the government and the companies responsible for the grid. 

According to WEI, this year, Ireland has experienced its worst performance in terms of wind energy wasted, with 14% of wind production during the first nine months of the year unable to be harnessed due to transmission infrastructure issues. 

For Cunniffe, this demonstrates the urgent need for a 21st-century electricity grid capable of managing all the electricity generated by its wind farms. 

In this regard, energy storage development is crucial. The document calls for the implementation of a national storage strategy in collaboration with the industry to set clear objectives and actions. 

Another critical point in the manifesto is the importance of looking beyond 2030. Ireland has the potential to become a leader in energy independence, but this can only be achieved if the next government commits to policies supporting emerging technologies, such as floating wind energy, and promoting large-scale electrification of the Irish energy system, including heating and transportation. 

There is also a need to create investment frameworks for long-duration storage projects, as there are currently no clear investment signals for these initiatives. 

Furthermore, an Electrification Action Plan must be developed to accelerate the electrification of heating and transportation, ensuring the necessary funding and financial incentives for key infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging points and thermal storage. 

WEI's CEO, Noel Cunniffe, stated that wind energy is Ireland's most cost-effective renewable source, capable of providing clean and affordable electricity to Irish homes. According to Cunniffe, the upcoming elections represent a unique opportunity for candidates to commit to an ambitious and sustainable energy vision for Ireland. 

Cunniffe emphasized that the political decisions made in the general elections will not only affect Ireland's energy future but will also directly impact the wellbeing of families and communities. “We can build a future with cleaner air and thousands of green jobs in revitalized rural communities,” he said.