Wedoany.com Report-May 5, A recent study by MKO, commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland, reveals that Ireland has the potential to generate an additional 6 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind energy. The report, titled Protecting Consumers: Our Onshore Wind Energy Opportunity, maps out 1,302 km² of suitable land—less than 2% of Ireland’s total area—for wind farm development.

This identified land could support nearly 6GW of new wind energy capacity, significantly boosting Ireland’s renewable energy output. If the 2030 Climate Action Plan target of 9GW is achieved, this additional capacity could triple the country’s current onshore wind generation. The study, the first comprehensive assessment of Ireland’s onshore wind potential, accounts for constraints such as residential and commercial buildings, rivers, lakes, protected areas, heritage sites, and existing wind farms.

Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland, stated: “We need to protect Irish electricity consumers and onshore wind energy is Ireland’s most affordable source of new electricity. The more wind energy that we can develop, the less we rely on imported fossil fuels, and the better protected Irish families and businesses are from a volatile fossil fuel market. Every month we see wind energy reducing electricity costs. Tripling our onshore wind capacity, which is possible by delivering our existing pipeline and developing the land identified in this research, would drive these costs down even further. We are calling on the Government to set new targets for onshore wind energy of 11,000MW by 2035 and 15,000MW by 2040.”

Brian Keville, managing director of MKO Ireland, added: “Ireland has significant additional potential to harness our indigenous onshore wind energy resource. This analysis clearly demonstrates that a significant amount of onshore wind energy can be delivered in just two per cent of the country’s land mass, while taking account of planning and environmental constraints and design requirements.”

The report proposes five recommendations to maximize Ireland’s wind energy potential, including setting higher targets of 11GW by 2035 and 15GW by 2040, establishing clear regional policies to designate preferred areas for renewable energy development, and updating the draft Wind Energy Development Guidelines with scientific evidence. It also emphasizes the need for significant upgrades to the electricity transmission grid to accommodate increased wind energy capacity.

Cunniffe further noted: “The research is clear. Ireland has an incredible opportunity to keep developing our most affordable electricity source, to build a strong, resilient, and competitive economy based on a secure supply of energy. The identified land makes up less than 2% of the country and it is important to remember farming and tourism often continues as normal on a wind farm. That small area of land could provide an enormous amount of clean, affordable, power.”

To realize this potential, the report highlights the importance of reforming the planning system, securing community and industry support, and strengthening the electricity grid through essential upgrades, such as the North-South Interconnector. These steps aim to ensure a sustainable, cost-effective, and energy-secure future for Ireland.