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Renewable Energy Directive (RED III)

RED III

Renewable Energy Directive (RED III)

RED III is implemented in Ireland through European Union (Planning and Development) (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2025 (SI 274 of 2025).  European Union (Planning and Development) (Renewable Energy) (No.2) Regulations 2025

  • Most provisions effective 6 August 2025.
  • EIA opinion provisions come into force 1 May 2026.

Scope of Regulations 

Applies to renewable energy from non-fossil sources:

  • Wind, solar, geothermal, osmotic, ambient, tide, wave, ocean energy.
  • Hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas, biogas.
  • Repowering developments (upgrading existing renewable projects).
  • Small-scale installations including heat pumps and solar energy equipment.

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) guides applicants through the permit process. 

Homepage | Single Point of Contact | SEAI

  • Phone: 01 808 2278
  • Email: spc@seai.ie

Pre-Planning

Completeness Check introduced to ensure applications are correct before timelines start.

Pre-application consultation with prescribed bodies is strongly encouraged.

Guidance and checklist available in Circular CEPP 1/2025 (pages 11–14) 

Application Process & Timelines

Applications must use the Council’s Planning Application Form.

Decision timelines (once application is confirmed complete):

  • Renewable energy ≥150kW: 52 weeks (onshore) | 65 weeks (offshore).
  • Extended deadline for IROPI cases: 2 years (onshore) | 3 years (offshore).
  • Renewable energy <150kW & repowering: 30 weeks | Extended: 1 year.
  • Ground source heat pumps & relevant solar: 8 weeks | No extension.
  • Small-scale solar or non-ground source heat pumps: 4 weeks | No extension.

Important Rules

  • Timelines cannot be paused for further information or environmental assessments.

Further information requests disapplied for:

  • Relevant solar energy development.
  • Small-scale solar energy equipment.
  • Heat pumps.
  • For other developments, requests must be issued within 8 weeks of completeness check notice, with a specified reply period.
  • Failure to respond within the specified period = application withdrawn.

Appeals

Decisions on RED III applications can be appealed directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Guidance Documents and Additional Resources

Planning major developments

Mon-Fri 09:00 - 16:00

Address

Áras an Chontae
Prospect Hill
Galway

H91 H6KX

Phone numbers

Phone
091-509043