Public discussion event: A Wasted Transition? Managing the end-of-life of Ireland’s renewable energy infrastructure.

Ireland’s rapid expansion of wind and solar generation is central to achieving national climate targets. Yet comparatively little attention has been paid to what happens when renewable energy infrastructure reaches the end of its operational life. As Ireland’s earliest installations begin to age, questions are emerging about repair, repowering, decommissioning, and the reuse and recovery of materials - and about the extent to which circular economy approaches could shape this next phase of the energy transition.
 

This event will share findings and questions emerging from A Wasted Transition?, a Research Ireland-funded project led by researchers at Dublin City University and the Rediscovery Centre, examining Ireland's capacity to manage end-of-life transitions for our renewable energy infrastructure. 
 

The event will include a short presentation of findings to date, followed by responses from government and industry representatives, and a panel discussion with key stakeholders in Ireland. Together, the discussion will consider emerging challenges, skills, and infrastructure needs, along with policy questions that arise as Ireland’s renewable energy system continues to expand. Confirmed participants include: 
 

• Shauna Dunlop - Director of Research, Future Skills Needs, Statistics and Risk at SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna)

• Eva McCarthy - Policy Analyst, Wind Energy Ireland

• Dr Bláthnaid Mc Polin - Circular Economy Lead, ESB 

• Dr Angie Nagle - CEO & Co-founder, BladeBridge