Sustainability

From a foreign direct investment perspective, County Wexford offers a strong and growing sustainable energy ecosystem, combining established energy infrastructure with significant future renewable energy capacity. County Wexford is strategically positioned to support energy-intensive industries seeking secure, sustainable, and cost-effective energy solutions.

This is a drone shot from a wind farm. To the right foreground is one turbine with another one close by in the left background. They are set on grassland and the photo is taken at sunset. The sky is a light blue with a yellowy orange line across the centre of the image
Sustainability

Powering Sustainable Growth

County Wexford combines established onshore wind capacity with major offshore renewable developments that are currently underway

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179 MW

County wind capacity

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42 MW

Ballywater Wind Farm

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5 GW

Offshore target by 2030

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17 Wind Farms operating in County Wexford

Infographic of South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan DMPA for Ireland's Offshore Energy Future

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Sustainability

Clear Climate and Sustainability Targets

 

Wexford County Council adopted its Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 in February 2024, establishing ambitious and measurable targets, including:

  • A 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030
  • A 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
  • A commitment to achieving 100% renewable electricity consumption across Council operations by 2027

The Plan provides a structured framework across governance, transport, the built environment, green infrastructure, community resilience and resource management, giving investors confidence that sustainable development is a long-term strategic priority for the county. 

 

Download the Climate Action Plan
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Sustainability

Planning for Sustainable Growth

 

The Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028 supports renewable energy development, low-carbon growth and climate-resilient infrastructure. By aligning spatial planning with economic development objectives, the Plan helps ensure that new industrial and commercial investment can be delivered efficiently while meeting environmental and sustainability requirements. 

Read the County Development Plan
There is a train crossing a railway bridge that spans the River Slaney in Enniscorthy.
Sustainability

Enniscorthy Decarbonisation Zone

 

Wexford County Council has designated Enniscorthy as a Decarbonisation Zone, creating a real-world testbed for innovative climate solutions. The initiative aims to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030 and provides an environment where new technologies, sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon business models can be piloted and scaled. The lessons learned are intended to inform wider regional and national climate action initiatives. 

A large modern multi-storey building spans the centre of the image, the front façade of the building is a mixture of large glass panes and white panels. To the front foreground of the image is a grey, brick wall that has mirrored lettering showcasing the Wexford County Council logo and the name: Enniscorthy Technology Park.
Sustainability

International Leadership in Sustainable Buildings

 

The Council has also demonstrated leadership in sustainable construction and energy performance. Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United Nations, the Irish Government, Wexford County Council and NZEBRA, Enniscorthy was selected as the location for a UN Centre of Excellence on Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB), placing the county alongside international centres in Vancouver and New York. 

Building on this achievement, the High Performance Building Alliance (HPBA) was established in 2021 by Wexford County Council and WWETB. As an Irish Government and UN-approved Centre of Excellence, HPBA advances sustainable building practices through research, innovation and industry-focused skills development, supporting the transition to a low-carbon built environment.

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68.4%

GHG Emissions Reduction

68.4% of 51% reduction target complete
84.6%

Energy Efficiency Improvement

84.6% of 50% target achieved
93.0%

LED Street Lighting

93.0% completed
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Community Climate Action Funding

16 group awarded of the 52 applicants
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SEC Energy Master Plans

3 Completed: Wexford Town, Enniscorthy, Hook Peninsula
Explore the full Climate Action Plan
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Sustainability

GREENTECH HQ & SENAN HOUSE

This commitment is reinforced by the presence of Senan House, Ireland’s first fully passive commercial building, and Greentech HQ, Ireland’s first dedicated Sustainability Innovation Hub, which supports businesses developing sustainable products, services and technologies. 

Senan House in Enniscorthy is Ireland’s first fully passive commercial building. The building is home to a number of enterprises including Greentech HQ.

Greentech HQ is Ireland’s first dedicated Sustainability Innovation Hub and Business Centre of Excellence based in Enniscorthy. Founded in 2022, it operates as a not-for-profit hub designed to help businesses scale, innovate, and embed sustainability through mentoring, incubation spaces, and accelerator programs.

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Sustainability

DRIVING OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT

Wexford County Council is a key stakeholder in the Ireland South East Offshore Wind Partnership, a regional collaboration bringing together ports, local authorities, industry, enterprise agencies, education providers and skills networks. The partnership seeks to ensure that offshore wind development translates into long-term economic benefits, including investment, innovation, job creation and supply-chain opportunities across the South East region. 

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Infographic of Energy Infrastructure for Powering Business Growth. "Wexford delivers the power, connectivity and capacity that enable businesses to scale with confidence in a rapidly evolving global economy"

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Sustainability

EXPANDING SOLAR ENERGY CAPACITY

Wexford is emerging as one of Ireland’s leading locations for utility-scale solar energy. Major projects currently under construction or approved include the 124MW Wexford Hub Solar Farm and the 109MW Lodgewood Solar Project. These developments, together with an established pipeline of solar investments, provide substantial future renewable electricity capacity and reinforce Wexford’s position as an investment-ready location for sustainable industry.

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A solitary offshore wind turbine stands tall in the open sea under a bright blue sky

Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy Growth

Wexford sits adjacent to some of Ireland’s most important offshore wind development zones in the Irish and Celtic Seas. Under Ireland’s South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP), these areas have been identified for large-scale offshore renewable energy development. A major offshore wind project planned off the coast of Fethard-on-Sea and Duncannon is expected to deliver up to 900MW of renewable electricity, enough to power almost one million homes when operational.

Rosslare Europort is being developed as Ireland’s principal Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, creating a strategic base for the construction, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. This investment will establish Wexford as a key location in Ireland’s offshore renewable energy supply chain and support businesses involved in engineering, manufacturing, logistics and marine services.

Rows of solar panels as viewed from above

Strong Electricity Infrastructure and Energy Security

Wexford benefits from direct access to Ireland’s national electricity transmission network and EirGrid’s expanding renewable energy infrastructure programmes. The county is also the Irish landing point for the 500MW Greenlink Interconnector, which directly connects Ireland’s electricity system with Great Britain, strengthening energy security, improving supply resilience, and supporting greater integration of renewable energy generation

Wind Turbine in a field of grain in Castledockrel, County Wexford

Established Onshore Wind Generation

The county already has a significant renewable energy base, with multiple operational wind farms including Richfield, Castledockrell (pictured) , Carnsore and Ballywater. According to SEAI data, Wexford has approximately 182MW of installed wind and hydro generation capacity, contributing to Ireland’s clean energy supply and supporting national renewable energy targets.

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Supporting Innovation and Skills Development

Wexford is actively developing a renewable energy innovation ecosystem. The Ireland South East Offshore Wind Partnership brings together industry, local authorities, ports, educational institutions and enterprise agencies to ensure the region develops the skills, research capability and supply chains required by the offshore wind sector. The county is also home to

Greentech HQ in Enniscorthy, Ireland’s first dedicated Sustainability Innovation Hub, providing a platform for businesses focused on sustainability, cleantech innovation and green growth.

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Complementary Energy Infrastructure

Alongside renewable energy assets, Wexford benefits from natural gas infrastructure supplied by the Great Island Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station. The facility is one of Ireland’s most efficient gas-fired power stations and provides a reliable energy source for businesses requiring secure baseload power while transitioning towards greater renewable energy use.

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Investment Proposition

For international investors, Wexford offers:

  • Access to rapidly expanding offshore wind, solar and onshore wind generation.
  • Enhanced energy security through the Greenlink Interconnector and Ireland’s national grid.
  • Competitive infrastructure for energy-intensive industries.
  • Emerging opportunities in offshore wind supply chains, manufacturing, logistics and engineering.
  • Dedicated renewable energy innovation and skills development ecosystems.
  • Strong public sector commitment to becoming a national leader in renewable energy and the green economy.

This combination of renewable energy resources, strategic infrastructure and future capacity makes Wexford one of Ireland’s most compelling locations for sustainable, low-carbon foreign direct investment.

A front view of the Wexford County Council offices in the County Hall. The building is a multi-storey, glass fronted building with exposed metal rods as part of the façade. To the front of the building in the left foreground is a sculpture of a 3d square with a circle cut out in the centre. In the centre is a life-like sculpture of a lady with her arms out, holding both sides of the square. The piece is by Rowan Gillespie and is called 'Solstice'

Wexford County Council Leadership on Climate Action and Sustainable Energy

A key differentiator for investors considering Wexford is the proactive role being played by Wexford County Council in creating a supportive policy, infrastructure and innovation environment for sustainable business growth. Through a combination of climate policy, strategic planning, innovation initiatives and renewable energy partnerships, the Council is actively positioning Wexford as a leading location for the low-carbon economy

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