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John Walsh: We can’t allow planning delays to pull the plug on renewable energy plans

Our green energy trump card could provide 80 per cent of our needs by 2030, but only if we learn from the mistakes of the past

The government is halfway through an offshore wind energy auction process that could supply 80 per cent of the country’s electricity demands by 2030

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, rising tensions in the Middle East, and unprecedented levels of flooding in towns such as Midleton in Co Cork are among an inexhaustible list of reasons why Ireland needs to move away from its addiction to hydrocarbons.

Indeed, during the week the European Commission unveiled a comprehensive strategy to have 42.5 per cent of all energy needs across the bloc generated by renewable sources by 2030.

These objectives are ...