The winds of change?
Wind farms provide electricity without polluting the environment, but some argue they pollute our views. In Ireland, a wind farm project was initially denied planning permission by the national planning board, but a court pushed through the plans for renewable energy. The case could set a precedent, making it easier to develop green energy projects in Ireland.
The judge considered that the planning board's decision went against Irish climate law, which asks that state bodies act according to national and EU environmental objectives. His ruling could make it a lot easier for other green energy projects to go through – and harder for those that would increase carbon emissions.
It is uplifting news after a frustrating year for Irish renewable energy. The planning board only greenlit a quarter of wind farm proposals in the first half of 2024. At this rate, it is expected that Ireland will reach its 2030 energy transition goals in 2044.
This is not the only controversial decision made by the planning board this year. Aside from the small number of wind farms, the board gave its permission for a giant data centre which would emit as much carbon as flying 185,593 times from Paris to New York.
Wind farms aren't just facing obstacles in Ireland. Despite their potential to help fulfill energy transition goals, wind farm projects are regularly denied planning permission across Europe for ”visual impact” or noise nuisance. In Carinthia, an Austrian state, the far-right party in power is even trying to ban the construction of more wind turbines.