Skip to main content
Header With Sponsors

The Irish Wind Farmers Association (IWFA) is set to host its Annual Conference, sponsored by Flogas, on Thursday, November 28th, 2024, at Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny.

The event will gather leaders across Ireland’s renewable energy industry, policymakers, stakeholders and experienced onshore wind farmers to explore opportunities within the wind energy sector.

Anticipating Q4 announcement of government-backed support for smaller wind projects, the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), organisers are inviting SMEs, community groups, and farmers to learn from the real-life experience of small-scale wind farmers and industry experts.

This year’s keynote speaker is Jim Breslin, Chair of Renewable Energy Ireland. He will be joined by Paul O’Neill, Principal Officer in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications alongside Tom Ryan, Wicklow-based wind farmer, who will discuss the reapplication processes followed by a series of panels discussing key challenges in the wind sector, planning, grid and markets, and the introduction of the Small RESS scheme for communities and SMEs are on the agenda for the conference.

“Ireland’s renewable energy sector is at a critical juncture. Right now, we’re trailing the EU leader board for portion of energy produced sustainably, yet onshore wind projects represent one of our greatest opportunities to bring more groups into the fold and make meaningful strides towards the Government’s 2030 commitments,” Paddy Phelan, Chair of the Irish Wind Farmers Association said, “The recent SRESS support scheme is a welcome step, but is it enough because the membership is saying as proposed it is not providing sufficient financial certainty for small-scale wind farmers.

We need a more streamlined planning process and increased transparency to drive real uptake. These changes are essential if we’re serious about enabling new wind farmers large , small and community led to contribute to Ireland’s clean energy goals—this is just one of the issues we’ll address at this year’s conference.”

Untapped potential of onshore wind in Ireland

A focal point of this year’s conference is the Government’s drafted Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), which offers one or two turbine operators a 15-year guaranteed tariff on electricity sold to the grid.

The IWFA Annual Conference aims to share insight among wind farmers, industry experts, and newcomers interested in wind energy projects. Attendees will have access to exhibitors, SME support, and interactive workshops on starting and growing wind energy operations in Ireland.

Book Here Button

Event Details:
The conference is taking place in the 5 Star Lyrath Estate Hotel, Paulstown Road, Co. Kilkenny. Venue information.

Thursday, October 28th
Registration 8.30 – 9.30am
Conference ends 4pm

Full Agenda to follow

Networking Evening, Wednesday the 27th Nov at 8pm

We are delighted to invite our conference delegates to join us for a networking evening in the Lyrath Estate Hotel Manor Rooms on Wednesday the 27th November at 8pm, the night before the main conference. Please note, this networking event is available for the attendees, members, exhibitors, sponsors and speakers of the Annual Conference.

Join us to network and meet fellow operators to share the knowledge and insights affecting the wind sector, provide updates on industry and policy matters, offer you a chance to promote your products/ services to the wind energy sector and market.

For media inquiries, please get in touch with Sally Leadbetter, PR Partners, 087 0505 427 | sally.leadbetter@prpartners.ie

Iwfa Exhibitors And Sponsors