Webinar Recap: Planning for a Solar Future – Insights from Solar Ireland & the IPI
Last week’s joint webinar between Solar Ireland and the Irish Planning Institute brought together planners, developers, and policymakers for a frank and practical discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing solar development in Ireland.
Chaired by Marie Ryan MIPI (Council Member, IPI), the session featured expert contributions from:
Dr Eva Barrett, Director of Policy and Regulation at Solar Ireland, who outlined the rapid growth of solar across the country, the evolution of Ireland’s planning and policy landscape, and the critical role of streamlined planning in achieving our 2030 climate targets.
Jim Hughes MIPI, Director at Fehily Timoney, who provided a consultant’s perspective on planning system inconsistencies and the need for greater standardisation across planning authorities. He walked attendees through the key considerations outlined in the Best Practice Guidance for Large-Scale Solar, co-developed by Solar Ireland and SEAI.
Cheryl O’Connor MIPI, Planning Project Manager at EDF Renewables Ireland, who shared a detailed case study of the Taduff Solar Park and BESS in Co. Roscommon, highlighting the planning, grid, and operational milestones—and the risks that can arise at every stage.
From timelines and land access to grid challenges and the need for better resourcing at local authority level, the discussion reinforced the urgency of reforming how we plan for renewable infrastructure—while providing pragmatic insights for practitioners across the sector.
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