Renewable Energy Ireland has appointed Jim Breslin as its new chairperson. Mr Breslin succeeds Dr Tanya Harrington who had served in that role since 2021.
Renewable Energy Ireland is a partnership of the country's leading sustainable energy associations and has become an influential voice in energy policymaking.
Its members include eHeat Ireland, Energy Storage Ireland, the Heat Pump Association of Ireland, the Irish Bio Energy Association, the Irish District Heating Association, the Irish Solar Energy Association, the Irish Wind Farmers Association, the Marine Renewables Industry Association and Wind Energy Ireland.
Mr Breslin has served as Secretary General of three different Government departments, most recently, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
During Dr Harrington's time as chairperson, REI published is first strategy, recommending more action across power, transport, buildings and industry sectors to reduce carbon emissions.
It has also worked to support the reinforcement of Ireland's electricity grid and for reform of the planning system to accelerate the delivery of renewable energy.
Last year REI delivered a key action under the Climate Action Plan 2023 to identify the benefits to the public from the development of renewable energy.
Outgoing chairperson Dr Tanya Harrington said she was proud to have worked with a broad range of organisations working in wind, solar, marine and bioenergy alongside those developing new technologies that support the integration of renewable energy technologies.
"We all share a common vision that by 2050 Ireland will be energy independent through using indigenous, clean, carbon-free renewable energy supported by, and supporting, communities across our country," she said.
Jim Breslin said that Renewable Energy Ireland is now a single authoritative voice for the renewable and sustainable energy sector.
"Together, we can further accelerate the development of renewable energy and the infrastructure to support its distribution. With clean, secure and affordable energy we will not just decarbonise our energy use but improve how we heat our homes and buildings, travel to work and produce goods and services," he said.
"We will take an essential step in tackling climate change and, at the same time, secure Ireland's competitiveness in growing and attracting enterprise and jobs into the future," he added.
