Delivery, Not Ambition, Now Defines Ireland’s Energy Transition
•February 10, 2026
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Why It Matters
Delivery constraints risk stalling Ireland’s renewable momentum, threatening energy security and investor returns. Aligning infrastructure rollout with demand is essential for a resilient, low‑carbon grid.
Key Takeaways
- •Solar capacity reached >2 GW in four years
- •Grid and planning limits now main bottleneck
- •Offshore wind delivery delayed beyond 2030
- •Government proposes Critical Infrastructure Bill to accelerate
- •Battery storage and behind‑meter models gaining investor interest
Pulse Analysis
Ireland has emerged as a fast‑moving renewable market in Europe, driven by a combination of ambitious climate targets and a flood of private capital. Over the past four years solar installations have jumped from virtually nothing to more than 2 GW, positioning the island as a surprising solar hub despite its modest insolation. Onshore wind continues to expand, and recent policy signals—such as the 2030 decarbonisation roadmap—have reinforced investor confidence, creating a pipeline that now stretches across generation, storage and grid services.
The report from Addleshaw Goddard warns that delivery, not ambition, has become the sector’s limiting factor. Grid congestion, lengthy planning approvals and the long lead times of offshore wind projects are already slowing the transition, with the first utility‑scale offshore farms unlikely to materialise before 2030. In response, the Irish government is fast‑tracking legislation such as the Critical Infrastructure Bill and an Emergency Powers Bill aimed at streamlining consent processes and strengthening system resilience. These measures seek to align regulatory speed with the market’s rapid capital inflows.
Despite these hurdles, the Irish energy market remains richly investable. Battery storage projects are attracting sizable funding as they promise to balance intermittent solar and wind output, while behind‑the‑meter generation and private‑wire schemes are gaining traction among industrial consumers seeking price certainty. Biomethane and ancillary grid‑stability services also feature in the emerging pipeline, reflecting a broader shift toward flexible, decentralized solutions. Successful execution will depend on tighter coordination among government, regulators and developers, ensuring that infrastructure rollout keeps pace with rising electricity demand and the geopolitical pressures reshaping Europe’s energy security.
Delivery, Not Ambition, Now Defines Ireland’s Energy Transition
Leading international law firm, Addleshaw Goddard, launched its Investors in Energy: Ireland Report at its Ireland’s Energy Market Outlook event at the Westbury, bringing together key decision-makers to explore trends and investment opportunities across the Irish energy sector.
The event was attended by Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, T.D., alongside more than 100 senior representatives from across the industry, who examined the critical need for deeper stakeholder collaboration to unlock Ireland’s renewable energy potential.
The report examines how Ireland can build on its strong renewable momentum while tackling the practical challenges that shape the pace of new infrastructure delivery. Drawing on insights from across the energy sector, it explores the balance between strong renewable growth, rising electricity demand, and the power system’s capacity to absorb this and deliver in light of recent, significant investment decisions.
Acceleration of Solar
The report highlights that Ireland’s renewable energy transition has shown signs of acceleration in recent years, particularly in solar, which has expanded from almost zero capacity to in excess of 2GW in under four years. Strong policy ambition and sustained investor appetite continue to support this growth.
However, it finds that delivery capacity, not ambition, is now the defining constraint. Grid limitations, planning challenges, and long lead times for major infrastructure projects are slowing the pace at which renewable projects can move from the development stage to operation. Offshore wind is currently hindered by planning challenges, with the first phase of offshore wind projects only likely to be delivered post 2030.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, T.D., said:
“Ireland has made significant strides in scaling renewable energy, particularly in onshore wind and solar. The next phase of our energy transition will hinge on ensuring that infrastructure delivery, planning processes and regulatory systems keep pace with the supportive policy and the investment environment we’ve put in place for renewables in Ireland. At Government level, we are addressing these challenges through the introduction of the Critical Infrastructure Bill and Emergency Powers Bill, both currently being progressed, in order to support and accelerate sustained growth in the years ahead.”
Sustaining the Energy Transition
Despite these constraints, the report identifies a broad and investable pipeline of opportunities across the Irish energy market. Rapid solar deployment continues to attract strong levels of capital, while emerging opportunities in battery storage, grid stability services, biomethane, and private power solutions are gaining momentum. Rising electricity demand is reshaping how energy is generated, stored, and supplied, accelerating interest in flexible delivery models such as behind-the-meter generation and future private wire connections.
Launching the report, Gavin Blake, Partner, Head of Energy & Infrastructure at Addleshaw Goddard Ireland, said:
“Ireland’s opportunity is shaped not by demand or capital, but by how effectively delivery is coordinated across the system. Grid capacity, planning complexity and infrastructure sequencing are now the critical factors determining how quickly projects can be built and brought online. The positive story is that Ireland has already proven it can scale renewables at pace. The next phase is about making that growth dependable and aligned with rising demand through greater stakeholder coordination.”
Immediate Focus
The report concludes that closer coordination between the Government, regulators, and industry will be critical to sustaining progress. Aligning infrastructure investment with demand growth, rather than forcing outcomes against system limits, will be essential to maintaining investor confidence and strengthening Ireland’s energy security in a time of unprecedented geopolitical volatility.
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