99. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on plans to deliver onshore and offshore wind power and solar in a sustainable way, engaging with the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59694/26]

We currently have circa 8.5 GW of renewable electricity generation capacity with approximately 5 GW of new renewable electricity generation capacity added in just ten years including doubling our wind capacity and establishing solar energy as a new major pillar of our electricity supply.

Onshore wind is the largest contributor with over 5 GW installed. Solar generation reached a major milestone in recent weeks, achieving 3 GW of solar capacity generation, including both utility scale and rooftop solar. Provisional figures from EirGrid show that nearly 41% of electricity grid demand was met with renewables in 2025.

Strong and early community engagement and the provision of benefit funds by developers is essential for the sustainable development of renewable energy generation projects such as wind and solar.

The inclusion of Regional Renewable Electricity Capacity Allocations in the Revision of the National Planning Framework is a critical step towards achieving Ireland’s national renewable electricity targets and will support a plan-led approach to the strategic planning of renewable technologies, delivering a fair regional balance and distribution of the associated infrastructure.

The alignment of regional strategies and local plans with national policy for onshore wind and solar, as well as clear community engagement and delivery of economic benefits across regions hosting renewable energy projects, will be critical to a sustainable energy transition.

My Department is currently developing the National ORE DMAP which will allow for the designation of sites around Ireland’s maritime area capable of delivering a further 15 GW of offshore renewable energy by 2040, in addition to the existing Phase One and South Coast DMAP sites.

In 2026, a regional stakeholder participation programme commenced with 19 in-person events held with invited stakeholders across the seafood/fishing sector; regional/local business sector; social and environmental sectors. Further extensive stakeholder consultation is planned throughout 2026, with the intention to go to full public consultation in early 2027.