Ireland reached 49% renewable electricity generation in March 2026, according to provisional data from EirGrid, the country’s electricity system operator. This figure is in line with February, when renewables accounted for 48% of the energy mix.

The data, based on real-time readings from the Irish power system, reflects the growing role of clean energy in the country, with wind as the leading technology. In March, wind accounted for 40% of total electricity generation, producing 1,258 GWh.

Total electricity demand stood at 3,142 GWh, compared to 3,027 GWh in February.

Solar generation records in spring

Although solar energy still represents a smaller share of the monthly mix, the increase in installed capacity—particularly large-scale solar farms—led to several record highs during March.

On 21 March, a new record for utility-scale solar generation was reached at 983.46 MW, approaching the 1 GW threshold—enough to power approximately 500,000 customers. This follows previous records of 979 MW on 19 March and 950 MW on 6 March.

These figures refer exclusively to large-scale solar installations connected to the grid and do not include distributed generation from rooftop solar systems in homes and businesses.

The growing impact of self-consumption

When accounting for distributed solar generation, EirGrid has observed significant changes in electricity demand patterns.

On sunny days, daytime demand has dropped considerably, as households, businesses and farms meet part of their consumption through on-site solar panels. A clear example occurred on 19 March, when early afternoon demand was 974 MW lower than on the previous Thursday (12 March), largely due to improved solar conditions.

The operator also notes that there are now days when electricity demand is lower in the afternoon than in the evening, a phenomenon directly linked to the growth of distributed solar generation.

A more complex system to manage

This new scenario introduces additional operational challenges. The National Control Centre of EirGrid must balance solar generation in real time with other sources—both renewable, such as wind, and conventional—to ensure system stability.

Charlie McGee, system operations manager at EirGrid, highlighted that although solar still represents a relatively small share of the monthly mix, its role is growing rapidly: “These record peaks demonstrate its increasing importance as a renewable energy source in Ireland.”

He also noted that, in instantaneous terms, utility-scale solar can supply more than 20% of demand at certain times, and that self-consumption is reducing the need for non-renewable electricity generation.

Provisional data

EirGrid noted that the data is based on 15-minute SCADA readings and refers exclusively to Ireland. The figures are provisional and unvalidated, based on real-time information.

The generation mix includes both domestic production and net imports, while the renewables category covers wind, solar, hydro and biomass, excluding some non-centrally monitored sources such as microgeneration.