March was a record-breaking month for solar power in Ireland, with 39% of the country's electricity coming from renewable sources, according to provisional figures from EirGrid. The month saw an unprecedented peak in grid-scale solar power, reaching over 750 Megawatts (MW) on March 25—surpassing the previous record of 732 MW set in July 2024.

Source: EirGrid

This achievement highlights the growing role of solar energy in Ireland’s electricity mix. While solar accounted for just under 3% of total electricity generation for the month, it peaked at over 18% during particularly sunny periods, indicating strong potential for further records in the summer months.

Wind power contributed one-third of total electricity demand, while gas remained the largest single source of electricity at 39%. Additionally, 18% of demand was met through electricity imported via interconnectors. Overall, the electricity system demand for March stood at 3,061 GWh.

Ireland’s electricity grid currently supports up to 75% of electricity from renewable sources at any given time, a system non-synchronous penetration (SNSP) limit that ranks among the highest in the world. While renewable generation reached this limit at various points in March, there were also times when it provided as little as 5% of demand, emphasizing the need for a balanced energy mix.

Charlie McGee, System Operational Manager at EirGrid, praised the milestone: “March was a landmark month for solar power on the electricity grid. This progress is made possible by the connection of greater amounts of grid-scale solar as we work towards achieving a cleaner energy future.”

EirGrid is undertaking extensive grid reinforcements, upgrades, and new infrastructure projects to integrate more renewable energy sources. These efforts align with government targets to increase renewable electricity generation to 80% in the coming years.

With continued investment in solar power and renewable infrastructure, Ireland is on its way to achieving its clean energy goals while ensuring a reliable electricity supply.