The Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan is a welcome step

Solar Ireland welcomed the publication of the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure – Report and Action Plan, describing it as a critical opportunity to streamline delivery, address long-standing bottlenecks, and support Ireland’s renewable energy targets.

The Action Plan’s focus on legal reform, regulatory simplification, coordinated delivery processes, and public acceptance reflects many of the challenges raised by Solar Ireland members over recent years – particularly around planning, judicial review timelines, and the urgent need for stronger cross-agency alignment. Proper oversight must always be protected, but the current judicial review process has become increasingly vulnerable to delay and uncertainty. Ensuring that challenges are resolved fairly and efficiently – and focused on genuine errors rather than procedural tactics – is essential to delivering the infrastructure Ireland urgently needs.

Ronan Power, CEO of Solar Ireland, said:

“Faster, clearer, and more coordinated delivery systems are fundamental to meeting Ireland’s climate goals and strengthening energy security. Today’s Action Plan recognises the reality facing every major energy project: fragmented processes, slow decision-making and rising costs are preventing critical infrastructure from being delivered on time. We welcome the Government’s commitment to modernising planning, streamlining regulation and improving coordination across State bodies. These reforms are essential if Ireland is to deliver renewable energy at the scale and speed required.”

With solar now Ireland’s fastest-growing renewable technology – delivering more than 2.1 GW of installed capacity and rapidly expanding across farms, rooftops, schools and businesses – Solar Ireland also emphasised the importance of timely implementation, noting that strong commitments must translate into operational change.

“We cannot afford further years of delay,” Power continued. “Ireland has an energy security challenge, and renewables are a part of the solution. Clearer timelines, robust resourcing, and accountable delivery across State bodies will ensure this Action Plan makes a real difference on the ground.”

Solar Ireland reiterated that planning and grid reform must move in step with industry growth, and confirmed that the Association will continue working with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, An Bord Pleanála, the CRU, ESB Networks, EirGrid, and the developers, installers and community partners across our membership to support implementation of the Action Plan and ensure the reforms deliver for communities, consumers and Ireland’s clean-energy future.

Read the full plan here: Government publishes Accelerating Infrastructure - Report and Action Plan