Wind energy planning approvals at highest level since early 2025

12 Aug 2026

But industry warns of enormous backlog of projects awaiting decision

Galway tops the table in July wind energy report

Five new wind energy projects were approved in the second quarter of this year, marking the highest level of approvals since Q1 2025, while one project was refused planning permission. The projects will add a combined generation capacity of 311 MW, enough to power just over 180,000 homes each year.

This represents a significant improvement on the first quarter, when no new wind farms were approved, however concerns are growing about the massive backlog of wind farm planning decisions, with the number of projects awaiting a decision up 70 per cent since the same period in 2024.

The organisation also today published, see below, the July wind energy figures.

Welcoming the decisions, Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs with Wind Energy Ireland, said: “The increase in planning approvals during the second quarter is welcome and badly needed.

“Each of these new wind farms will strengthen our energy security and supply clean, affordable power to Irish homes and businesses. After a slow start to the year, this positive momentum must be maintained.”

Growing planning backlog

Despite the five positive decisions, the report also highlighted that the backlog of wind energy projects awaiting decisions from An Coimisiún Pleanála has grown significantly in the last two years.

There are now 48 projects, representing 2,668 MW of potential renewable energy capacity, awaiting a decision, up from 31 projects (1,643 MW) in Q2 2025 and 28 projects (1,683 MW) in Q2 2024.

More than 1,000 MW of the capacity currently in the planning system, 18 projects, has been awaiting a decision for over a year, including 277 MW, 5 projects, that has been in the system for more than two years.

Justin Moran continued: “Projects are applying for planning permission faster than An Coimisiún Pleanála is able to make a decision.

“Every project waiting for a decision is an opportunity to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels, provide more affordable electricity and support jobs and investment in communities across Ireland.

“We need the positive momentum seen during the second quarter to accelerate so that the backlog can be reduced and projects can move more quickly from planning into construction. That will require continued investment in planning capacity across State agencies to ensure projects can be robustly assessed and the right decisions made.”

July wind figures

WEI's Q2 Planning Report comes on the back of a strong July for wind energy, during which wind farms on the island of Ireland generated 763 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity — enough to meet 23 per cent of the country’s electricity demand.

Adding to a memorable month for the county, following its All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship victory, Galway led Ireland in wind energy generation in July, producing 69 GWh of electricity. It was closely followed by Offaly (67 GWh), Kerry (57 GWh), Mayo (55 GWh) and Donegal (54 GWh).

But there was bad news for consumers as the increased use of gas last month meant the average wholesale price for electricity in July spiked €20 from June to €155.54 per megawatt-hour (MWh). This is the highest monthly price so far in 2026.

However, when wind generation was at its highest, average wholesale electricity prices dropped to €125.43 per megawatt-hour, 38 per cent lower than the €202.97 price seen on days when Ireland relied more heavily on imported fossil fuels.

Justin Moran concluded: “July's generation figures are a reminder of the important role wind farms play in powering homes, businesses and communities across Ireland.

“Counties like Galway are making a significant contribution to our electricity supply, but to build on this progress we need renewable energy projects moving faster through the planning system.

“Every project that secures planning permission brings us closer to a cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy system for Ireland.”

First offshore wind decision expected

Looking ahead, a planning decision on the first of Ireland’s Phase One offshore wind energy projects is expected during the third quarter of 2026, marking an important milestone in the development of Ireland’s offshore wind sector.

Justin Moran added: “The first planning decision for a Phase One offshore wind project will be a landmark moment for Ireland’s energy transition.”

“Ireland has an enormous offshore wind resource and unlocking its potential will be critical to making our county energy secure. Developing these projects will help protect consumers from volatile international fossil fuel prices, support economic growth and drive significant investment in our ports, coastal communities and electricity grid.”