Anticipating a quarter four announcement of the government-backed support for smaller wind projects, the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), is high on the agenda. The event will gather leaders from across Ireland's renewable energy industry, policymakers, stakeholders and experienced onshore wind farmers to explore opportunities within the wind energy sector.
This year's keynote speaker is Jim Breslin, chair of Renewable Energy Ireland. He will be joined by Paul O'Neill, principal officer in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications alongside Tom Ryan, Wicklow-based wind farmer, who will discuss the reapplication processes followed by a series of panels discussing key challenges in the wind sector, planning, grid and markets, and the introduction of the Small RESS scheme for communities and SMEs are on the agenda for the conference.
"Ireland's renewable energy sector is at a critical juncture. Right now, we're trailing the EU leader board for portion of energy produced sustainably, yet onshore wind projects represent one of our greatest opportunities to bring more groups into the fold and make meaningful strides towards the Government's 2030 commitments," Paddy Phelan, chair of the Irish Wind Farmers Association said. "The recent SRESS support scheme is a welcome step, but is it enough? The IWFA membership say the proposed scheme does not provide sufficient financial certainty for small-scale wind farmers.
“We need a more streamlined planning process and increased transparency to drive real uptake. These changes are essential if we're serious about enabling new wind farmers large, small and community led to contribute to Ireland's clean energy goals – this is just one of the issues we'll address at this year's conference."