2026 set to be record year for Irish wind as 3.6GW pipeline underpins energy independence push
New industry strategy points to rapid onshore and offshore build-out to 2030, but grid and planning capacity remain critical
24 January 2026 | 📧 editor@breakingground.news
Ireland could see its strongest ever year for new wind energy delivery in 2026, with more than 3,600MW of projects either under construction, progressing through planning or positioned for the next State support auction, according to data presented this week at Wind Energy Ireland’s Annual Conference in Dublin.
Around 451MW of new wind farms are currently under construction, with a further 1,246MW ready for the next Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction or seeking corporate power purchase agreements. An additional 2,112MW of projects are now within the planning system. This compares with approximately 5,000MW of installed onshore wind capacity currently operating in the Republic of Ireland.
The scale of the pipeline underpins Wind Energy Ireland’s newly launched Strategy for 2026–2030, which sets out a roadmap to position Ireland as an “electrostate”, powered by secure, affordable and domestically generated clean electricity. The strategy, Delivering Energy Independence, Powering Growth, was formally launched at the conference, which has now concluded, and outlines the role of wind in insulating households and businesses from volatile fossil fuel markets while supporting regional economic growth.
The industry body identifies two immediate delivery priorities: accelerating the build-out of onshore and offshore wind farms at scale, and increasing electricity demand through electrification of heat, transport and industry. Five strategic goals frame the plan, including removing grid, planning and regulatory bottlenecks, developing skills and supply chains, and strengthening public trust in renewable infrastructure.
Opening the conference, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien said the next State auction for wind could be the largest ever, reflecting both the volume of projects in the pipeline and the urgency of meeting climate and energy security targets.
However, speakers were clear that delivery at this scale is contingent on major grid investment. EirGrid CEO Cathal Marley confirmed that the transmission system operator has a significant development pipeline extending into the next decade, including approximately 181km of new overhead lines, 40 new substations and 19 new transformer stations. Priority projects include the North–South Interconnector and new grid infrastructure to unlock the north-west, where wind resources are strong but congestion remains a constraint.
Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe said the electrostate concept extends beyond generation capacity alone. He pointed to the need for coordinated grid delivery, energy storage, demand flexibility and workforce development to ensure that wind power translates into long-term economic and social value.
The strategy signals that, if current projects are progressed and enabling infrastructure keeps pace, wind energy could form the backbone of Ireland’s electricity system by the end of the decade, with 2026 shaping up as a pivotal year for construction, grid delivery and market deployment.
