Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and Minister for Transport & Noel Cunniffe, CEO, Wind Energy Ireland
23 April 2026
This week at the WindEurope Annual Event in Madrid, we were proud to stand alongside our members, partners and Government colleagues to showcase Ireland’s leadership in wind energy — and our ambition to go even further.
From the Ireland Pavilion, we brought together policymakers, industry leaders and innovators to tell a clear story: Ireland may sit on Europe’s western edge, but we are central to delivering a clean, secure, wind-powered energy future for the continent.
Across the week, the message from WindEurope was equally clear. With wind already delivering 20% of Europe’s electricity and €45bn invested in new capacity last year, the sector is moving “from crisis to confidence” but accelerating electrification and grid delivery must now be the priority.
That urgency was echoed by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, whose delegation highlighted Ireland’s ambition to lead during its upcoming EU Presidency — with a strong focus on scaling renewables, strengthening grid infrastructure and reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.
Watch: Ireland’s wind energy leaders discuss upcoming auctions, CPPAs, and how collaboration between industry and government can accelerate wind project delivery and investment.
But the conversations in Madrid made one thing clear: the opportunity ahead is even greater. From offshore development to grid investment and market reform, Ireland has the resources, expertise and momentum to become a renewable energy powerhouse for Europe.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this week — especially our Government colleagues, sponsors and co-exhibitors at our Pavilion.
See more images from the event below
