# Renewable Energy

Last year

2022

# Solar Power

Planning permission no longer required to install solar panels on houses

Exemptions also apply to a range of non-domestic buildings.

27.7k

Updated

Oct 7th 2022, 2:48 PM

# Sowed and Reaped

'It shouldn't have been a surprise': How policy choices brought Ireland's energy to the brink

Experts explain how decisions made in years gone by have led us to our current position of facing down a bleak winter, even without the war in Ukraine.

31.1k

Sep 12th 2022, 12:05 AM

THE MORNING LEAD

Most energy suppliers are still not paying households for solar power despite August promise

A report by

Lauren Boland

Only one energy supplier could confirm that it started to pay microgenerators – here’s a breakdown of what each company said.

Microgenerators are supposed to be able to sell back any surplus power they produce to their energy supplier.

Only one supplier could confirm that it started to pay microgenerators before 31 August in line with an assurance by the national energy regulator.

At least eight had not yet commenced payment, Lauren Boland reports.

37.6k

Sep 10th 2022, 12:05 AM

# An Bord Pleanála

Appeal lodged over development of €100 million solar farm near Punchestown Racecourse

There had previously been objections from multiple stakeholders in the horseracing industry.

28.3k

Aug 19th 2022, 6:45 AM

# energy shift

EU proposes 300 billion-euro roadmap to ditch Russian energy

The investment initiative is meant to help the bloc start weaning itself off Russian fossil fuels this year.

21.0k

May 18th 2022, 4:14 PM

# Fossil Fuels

'Neglected': Why Ireland is the worst country in the EU at using renewables to make heat energy

Only 6% of the energy required for heating and cooling in Ireland came from renewable sources in 2020.

25.6k

Feb 19th 2022, 10:00 AM

# Oceans

Reaching 80% renewable target depends on 'offshore wind technologies', Taoiseach tells summit

Micheál Martin joined other leaders at the One Ocean summit in France this morning.

7.5k

Feb 11th 2022, 2:25 PM

# Above Water

'Intuitive and straightforward' - How geothermal energy could change how Irish homes are heated

By 2025, a target may be set for how much geothermal energy should contribute to Ireland’s long-term plans to reduce emissions.

22.7k

Jan 22nd 2022, 9:30 AM

All time

# blackouts

Electricity supply interruptions could have 'huge' impact on Irish society, expert warns

John Fitzgerald’s comments come after concerns were raised recently about potential blackouts this winter.

62.1k

Aug 25th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Climate security threat

Head of Defence Forces says climate change is single biggest threat to Ireland

Mellett, who holds a PhD in environmental governance, believes Ireland must act to prevent the impact of climate change.

The Chief of Staff said Ireland needs to lose its 'false sense of security'.

Mellett also believes that the State will have to play a role in battling climate breakdown.

53.9k

115

Jul 30th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Renewable Energy

Bord na Móna to create 885 new jobs in midlands as it focuses on climate solutions

The company says it will be able to supply a third of Irish homes with renewable energy by 2030.

12.1k

Jul 15th 2021, 3:17 PM

# Solving Solar

Power Down: How years of policy neglect left Ireland in the shadow of a solar revolution

We examine the key roadblocks that have limited small-scale solar power and if enough is now being done to hit impending EU targets.

40.8k

Aug 30th 2020, 9:00 PM

# Off the Mark

Ireland ranks second last in EU for meeting 2020 renewable energy targets

Only the Netherlands was behind Ireland in meeting the goals.

26.3k

Apr 19th 2020, 5:25 PM

# Renewable Energy

ESB to take 50% share in €2 billion wind farm off Scottish coast

The wind farm is expected to be completed by 2023.

12.8k

Nov 28th 2019, 8:56 AM

# turbines

Irish Wildlife Trust lodges objection to Bord na Móna windfarm in Co Longford

An outcome on the planning application for the 24-turbine windfarm is expected in July.

10.1k

Mar 28th 2019, 4:55 PM

Voices

Carbon taxes won’t stop climate change – we need more radical action

Fossil fuels are already taxed to the hilt and people haven’t moved to electric vehicles for one simple reason – they cannot afford to, writes Brian O’Boyle.

14.6k

Mar 26th 2019, 7:00 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Will Ireland generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030?

The country has missed other climate change targets in the past.

22.7k

101

Mar 25th 2019, 9:40 AM

# Renewable Energy

Bruton commits to having 70% of electricity generated from renewables by 2030

Bruton was speaking to reporters at the Fine Gael National Conference in Wexford over the weekend.

11.1k

Mar 25th 2019, 6:00 AM

# Renewable Energy

Aran Islands to be used as testing ground for research into using hydrogen as fuel

The research will use renewable energy to power a fleet of vans.

19.3k

Feb 18th 2018, 6:30 PM

# pay now or pay later

Taoiseach wants to up spending on climate change to avoid hefty EU fines

Ireland is facing a fine of €75 million each year if 16% of its energy doesn’t come from renewable-energy sources by 2020.

9.8k

Jan 4th 2018, 6:01 AM

# Renewable Energy

Ireland now has a renewable heat plan, but lessons have been learned from 'cash for ash'

It aims to reduce Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuel heating systems, and provides financial incentives for renewable heat generation.

13.3k

Dec 7th 2017, 6:36 PM

# Renewable Energy

'It'll devastate the countryside': Laois locals object to one of Ireland's biggest solar farms

The project is planned for a site the size of nearly 200 soccer pitches.

2.5k

Dec 7th 2017, 2:26 PM

# strategic communications

Details of Ireland's Renewable Heat Incentive revealed today - but Leo won't be calling it 'RHI'

“We have learned from the mistakes in Northern Ireland,” Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said.

25.8k

Dec 7th 2017, 6:10 AM

# Climate Change

'This and the Donegal floods go hand-in-hand': How Ireland plans to get to grips with renewable energy

A new government consultation wants feedback on how we fund sustainable energy in Ireland.

10.1k

Sep 9th 2017, 6:15 AM

Ireland's largest windfarm begins powering 50,000 homes

The windfarm is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 100,000 tonnes each year.

39.7k

117

Mar 23rd 2017, 5:25 PM

# resource and energy

'National guidance' on solar farms needed after Ireland's biggest project is rejected

The Wexford development was to be spread on a site of more than 200 acres.

1.1k

Feb 23rd 2017, 5:07 PM

# OFF TARGET

Ireland is expected to miss its EU renewables target - and cop a multimillion-euro bill

The country has to meet 16% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020.

282

Feb 9th 2017, 6:43 PM

# hello sunshine

Large-scale solar farms are coming to Ireland as plans for over 20 projects unveiled

Work on the farms, to be built in the south and east of the country, will start in 2018.

1.2k

Jan 19th 2017, 5:11 PM

# Renewable Energy

World's first tidal lagoon power station gets government support in Wales

The company behind it says the station would generate electricity for 155,000 homes for the next 120 years.

17.3k

Jan 12th 2017, 10:59 PM

# up our game

Why Ireland won't be turning to nuclear energy anytime soon

Alex White talked energy and climate change with TheJournal.ie yesterday.

16.5k

183

Dec 10th 2015, 12:00 PM

# Children's Hospital

A novel new use for Guinness waste heat (no rude jokes...)

A system whereby hot water or steam could be pumped from the brewery to the new hospital is being investigated.

15.5k

Aug 11th 2015, 1:33 PM

# lean and green

Why being sustainable makes for good business

For March’s in-depth coverage of SMEs, we looked at business and the environment, and making enterprise more sustainable.

10.4k

Apr 1st 2015, 8:20 AM

# electric shocks

Power isn't quite paying like it used to for ESB

Profits are down at the semi-state, but it’s still delivering a €300 million windfall to the government.

16.5k

Mar 25th 2015, 5:10 PM

# no spin zone

Poll: Should more be done to develop renewable energy in Ireland?

There has been a lot of debate about the country’s energy mix for the future.

12.0k

Mar 19th 2015, 1:31 PM

# tilting at windmills

There are some major holes in Ireland's renewable energy plans

And the country could have to pay penalties worth up to €400 million a year if things do go wrong.

30.3k

192

Mar 15th 2015, 5:40 PM

# power play

ESB wants its government owners to axe wind and solar power support

Targets and backing for the renewable-energy sources should end after 2020, the state supplier says.

13.9k

Oct 30th 2014, 4:08 PM

# Cattle

Our cows are emitting so much gas that Ireland is looking for help from the EU

The agriculture sector is looking for special treatment on new greenhouse gas targets.

12.5k

Oct 23rd 2014, 8:53 AM

# The Price of Power

Ireland's electricity is the most expensive of anywhere in Europe

And most government subsidies are flowing to the country’s fossil-fuel industries, EU says.

28.1k

Oct 13th 2014, 3:43 PM

# NIMBY

The Environment Minister says he wouldn't want to live beside a wind turbine

The Labour Party deputy leader was speaking to local radio in Waterford this morning.

11.6k

Sep 15th 2014, 8:30 PM

# Clean Energy

No nukes are good nukes: former Japanese PM's advice to Ireland

Ex-PM Naoto Kan says nuclear power should be consigned to the history books after Fukushima disaster.

9.0k

Sep 11th 2014, 6:00 PM