Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) has published a new policy paper, Driving Competitiveness, Delivering Climate Action, outlining a series of recommendations it wants Ireland to champion during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026.

Ireland will hold the rotating Presidency from July to December 2026, a role that will see it steer the EU’s agenda, chair Council meetings and represent the Council in negotiations with other European institutions.

In the paper, Wind Energy Ireland identifies four priority areas that it believes will help unlock more affordable, clean and secure energy for Ireland and the wider EU, including upgrading electricity grids, advancing electrification, speeding up permitting and embedding flexibility in the energy system.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: "Families and businesses across Ireland and Europe want energy that is more affordable, clean and secure.

"Ireland's upcoming EU Council Presidency is an opportunity to show real leadership and accelerate the rollout of renewable energy both at home and across EU Member States.

"It also represents a key moment to help shape Europe’s energy future, build a stronger economy, secure our supply of clean energy and cut energy bills for consumers."

WEI welcomed the EU Grids Package published in December and said Ireland should use its Presidency to advance Europe's grid ambitions, including securing clear deadlines for approving new infrastructure and driving reforms to ensure electricity networks are developed ahead of future demand.

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Cunniffe said: "In 2025 alone around 14 per cent of wind power was lost because our existing grid is simply not strong enough to carry all the renewable electricity that our wind farms produce. That means dirtier energy and higher bills for every Irish family and business.

"Advancing the EU Grids Package will maximise the benefits of renewable energy for consumers and ensure a more efficient, less wasteful, European electricity system. For Ireland, it will help to ease grid constraints and reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels."

The paper also calls on Ireland to use its Presidency to drive the implementation of the EU Electrification Action Plan, expected in early 2026.

Cunniffe added: "Electrifying our heating and transport is essential to cutting carbon emissions and building a more resilient economy. Making real progress during Ireland’s EU Council Presidency will benefit consumers and the wider EU economy while helping to deliver a new Ireland, where we use clean, affordable, electricity to heat our homes, travel to work and power our industries.

"Families and businesses are already choosing electric options. Now we need strong policies to build on that momentum and support a wider shift across society.

"Ireland has a real chance to lead by example and work with the EU to deliver the new Electrification Action Plan."

Other proposals in the paper include speeding up permitting for renewable projects through best-practice sharing, one-stop shops and digital platforms, and ensuring EU rules under RED III are fully applied. WEI also urges greater focus on flexibility in the energy system, including investment in storage and demand-side response, to reduce wasted renewable energy and improve reliability.

Concluding, Cunniffe said: "The growth of a thriving wind energy sector in Ireland cannot be achieved by national policies alone – an energy secure and independent Ireland must be at the heart of an energy independent and competitive Europe too.

"Ireland's policy makers can work with the EU Council to ensure that we do not just decarbonise Ireland but also play our part in building a more sustainable and competitive Europe.

"The 2026 Presidency is a chance to shape Europe’s energy future and to build a stronger economy, secure our supply of clean energy and cut energy bills for consumers.

"If we all work together, we will deliver cleaner, more affordable power and lay the foundation for Irish energy independence for our communities."