Lengthy planning and judicial review processes have contributed to major hold-ups in the process of rolling out onshore renewable energy projects here.
That's according to Paul Gallagher, the new head of onshore technologies at EDF Renewables, who said Ireland is on a countdown to 2030 where time is not on our side.
"The challenges to Ireland achieving its climate action goals have been well publicised, not least the lack of grid infrastructure in those parts of the country where the renewable energy resources are greatest," said Mr Gallagher.
"Lengthy planning and judicial review processes have also contributed to major hold-ups."
He added that a recent warning from the EU in relation to this issue should act as a wake-up call.
Earlier this month the EU warned nearly all of its national governments, including Ireland, over their failure to transpose provisions of the renewable energy directive into law.
The directive was supposed to be incorporated in law by member states by July and puts in place time limits for the granting of permits.
Mr Gallagher said the sector also urgently needs a commitment of resources to address the issues if Ireland is to avoid the billions of euro of climate fines.
He said while this country was making progress in achieving its climate goals, the pace of deliver of key regional grid infrastructure and project permitting conditions needed to be improved.
EDF Renewables, which is developing wind, solar and batter storage here, is seeking to have over 10GW of operational assets across Ireland and the UK by 2035.
It already completed Ireland’s first grid-scale solar farm last year.
The company is also involved in the development of the Codling Wind Park off Wicklow’s coast.
