Plans to develop up to 130 new regionally based wind energy projects are being threatened by excessive Government red tape, according to the group which represents the industry.
Irish Wind Energy Association says the lack of co-ordination between all the different systems and agencies in this sector is threatening the future viability of 80% of the proposed projects.
The majority of the new wind farms are being planned for the west coast with the largest concentration being located in Donegal, Galway and Kerry.
But the IWEA, which opens its annual conference in Galway today, says many of them are now running into what it describes as a 'red tape blockade'.
It says planning difficulties; licensing delays and the lack of joined up thinking are all threatening the future of a €20bn industry - with huge export potential and the capacity to create up to 20,000 jobs.
IWEA Chief Executive Dr Michael Walsh says it has now identified 120 separate issues which it wants the Government to unravel and streamline.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley, who is to attend the conference, will be briefed on these issues and urged to find a way of co-ordinating the work of the 60 agencies and companies involved in the development of wind energy throughout the country.
