Ireland continues to make strides in its transition to renewable energy, with the latest figures showing that renewables accounted for 39% of the country’s electricity in the first ten months of 2024. Wind energy remains the leading renewable source, providing 35% of the total in October 2024, while solar and other renewables contributed 4%.

Irish wind farms have generated nearly a third of the country’s electricity so far this year. According to the latest monthly report from Wind Energy Ireland, wind generation in October was the third highest on record for that month, underscoring the potential of wind energy in the country.

Challenges of grid overload

Despite the success of renewable energy, the report also highlights a growing problem: the amount of energy being wasted. Irish wind farms have been producing more electricity than the grid can handle, resulting in increasing grid constraints. Due to limitations in the transmission infrastructure, wind farms are often instructed to reduce or even halt production, leading to reliance on more polluting and expensive energy sources.

Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs at Wind Energy Ireland, emphasized that while Ireland is fortunate to have natural resources like wind, capable of generating affordable, clean electricity, the transmission network is not keeping pace. In fact, 14% of wind energy production was lost during the first nine months of 2024 due to these challenges, leading to a decrease in wind energy generation compared to 2023, which saw record levels of wind power production.

Impact on electricity prices

The average wholesale price of electricity in October 2024 was €123.45 per megawatt-hour, slightly down from €125.53 in October 2023. However, on days with high wind generation, electricity prices saw a significant drop, falling 26% to €91.53 per megawatt-hour. In contrast, on days when fossil fuels were relied on almost exclusively, prices rose to €176.52 per megawatt-hour.

Regional wind power leadership

On a regional level, County Kerry maintained its position as the top producer of wind energy in October, generating 131 GWh, closely followed by Cork (130 GWh) and Mayo (86 GWh). These top three counties together accounted for over a quarter of Ireland’s wind energy last month.

Call to strengthen the transmission network

To address these challenges and unlock the full potential of renewable energy, Wind Energy Ireland has urged support for EirGrid’s plans to reinforce the country’s transmission infrastructure. Moran also pointed out the importance of backing key projects such as the North-South Interconnector, which is vital for ensuring a modern and resilient electricity grid.

With the general election taking place this month, the organization is calling on candidates to support Ireland’s energy revolution, ensuring a cleaner, cheaper, and more self-sufficient electricity supply. This move would help Ireland achieve energy independence and reduce its carbon emissions by more than 4 million tons annually.

The future of renewable energy in Ireland

Increasing investment in renewable energy, especially wind, has the potential to transform Ireland’s economy, creating jobs in rural communities and reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. However, to fully harness Ireland's wind energy capacity, it is crucial to improve the electricity grid and prevent the waste of clean energy.