Submission from the Office of the Planning Regulator (Submission No 426)
Issues / Recommendations / Observations
Chief Executive’s Resp onse & Recommendation
Future sustainable growth and development will rely on the provision of a stable and efficient energy system. The development plan aims to facilitate the provision of energy facilities to meet the needs of the city. In order to address rising energy demand, while also addressing the challenges of climate change, significant progress is required in the deployment of renewable electricity and renewable technologies. The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019, sets out a target to achieve a net zero carbon energy system by 2050. The aim is for at least 70% of Ireland’s electricity supply to be generated from renewables by 2030. The Climate Action Plan also states that increased levels of renewable generation will require very substantial investment in the energy infrastructure, including grid infrastructure. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 supports Ireland’s transition to net-zero and the achievement of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050. Additionally, the Governmen t’s Climate Action Plan 2021, which will be updated annually, aims to increase the proportion of renewable electricity generation to up to 80% by 2030. . This will support the reduction in emissions and a move from The promotion and development of renewable sources of energy and move away from fossil fuels as a source of energy , which will be encouraged by Cork City Council . It is recognised that natural gas, particularly renewable and indigenous gas, will continue to have a role to play in the transition to a low carbon economy and that renewable energy developments may require support from such sources in times of high energy demand.
(ii) Include the following text in Section 9.20:
Renewable energy and particularly specific targets are rapidly evolving at the moment, with national targets recently revised in light of the 2021 Climate Action Plan. The plan acknowledges existing national policy on renewable energy contained in Interim Guidelines
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