Wind farms across Ireland will contribute almost €75 million in commercial rates to local authorities in 2026, according to new analysis compiled by Halpin's on behalf of Wind Energy Ireland (WEI).
The latest figures, released to mark Global Wind Day (15th June), show annual rates payments from wind farms have increased from €69.27 million in March 2025 to €74.87 million in March 2026, an increase of almost €5.6 million in just 12 months.
The growth reflects continued investment in renewable energy projects, primarily driven by new wind farms coming on stream, along with changes to the rates system in some counties. Together these increased rates payments from the wind sector by 8 per cent since 2025.
The analysis shows that wind farms are playing an increasingly important role in supporting council budgets in rural Ireland. Commercial rates payments help fund local services including roads, public lighting, fire services, libraries, planning, parks and community infrastructure.
Offaly now receives almost one-third of its commercial rates income from wind energy, while nine other counties get 10 per cent or more of the commercial rates from wind farms
In nine counties, wind farms now contribute more than 10 per cent of all commercial rates income, underlining the importance of renewable energy investment to local authority finances and local services.
David Halpin, whose company Halpin’s compiled the data for Wind Energy Ireland, said:
'The contribution of the wind sector to local councils cannot be understated. Outside of major urban areas, wind projects are often among the largest single contributors to their county.'
Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said:
'Every wind turbine generating electricity reduces our reliance on imported fossil fuels and brings long-term economic benefits to local communities. Irish-made energy insulates businesses from global economic shocks, supports jobs and strengthens our energy security.
'This year wind farms will contribute almost €75 million in commercial rates to local authorities across Ireland showing that county council budgets are being backed by wind. Nine counties now receive more than 10 per cent of their commercial rates income from wind farms which shows the substantial economic contribution renewable energy is making to communities right across the country.'
The county benefiting the most from wind energy rates income is Offaly, where wind farms now contribute almost 31 per cent of all commercial rates income collected by the local authority.
Wind-related rates income in Offaly increased by 31.5 per cent year-on-year and has risen by 51.8 per cent since 2022, representing an additional €8.8 million in annual revenue for the county.
The largest beneficiaries include Offaly, Kerry, Mayo, Tipperary, Donegal, Roscommon and Leitrim, where wind farms contribute millions of euro annually towards local authority budgets and essential public services. With Cavan, Galway, and Clare also benefitting highly.
Beyond supporting local authority budgets, wind farms also contribute directly to communities through community benefit funds, helping support local projects, sports clubs, community facilities and social initiatives.
Noel Cunniffe continued:
'This money helps to fund essential local services while ensuring communities directly benefit from renewable energy infrastructure. Alongside community benefit funds and local investment, they are another example of how renewable energy is delivering real and tangible benefits for people across Ireland."
'This €75 million investment is also a massive support for small and medium businesses, especially in rural Ireland, who would face demands for higher rates contributions if Irish wind farms were not providing this funding.'
Figures are based on annual rates payable and local authority budget data compiled by Halpin's on behalf of Wind Energy Ireland.
Source: Wind Energy Ireland
