The latest Wind Energy Report published by Wind Energy Ireland highlights that wind energy accounted for an impressive 37% of the country's electricity in November 2023. This achievement marks the third-highest wind energy generation month this year, with a recent peak record of 4626MW on December 6, setting a new benchmark for wind generation in the region.
The report underscores the continuous contribution of wind energy, supplying one-third of Ireland's electricity throughout the first 11 months of the year. Noel Cunniffe, Chief Executive of Wind Energy Ireland, emphasized the positive impact on Irish households and businesses, stating, “These results emphasize the contribution that wind energy is making to insulate Irish families and businesses from expensive fossil fuels.”
Cunniffe acknowledged the progress made in onshore wind capacity planning, with more developments in 2023 than in any previous year. Despite this, he highlighted existing bottlenecks in the planning system that need addressing to accelerate the transition to renewable Irish energy. The recently published Planning and Development Bill is seen as a crucial piece of legislation to expedite Ireland's journey towards a zero-carbon society.
The report also delves into economic aspects, revealing that the average wholesale price of electricity in November stood at €122.90 per megawatt-hour. Notably, there was a €50 difference in wholesale costs between the windiest days (€101.56) and days relying heavily on fossil fuels (€153.48). Cunniffe stressed the importance of increasing wind energy in the system to reduce reliance on expensive imported gas and alleviate households grappling with high energy costs.
The total electricity demand for November 2023 reached 3510GWh, with wind energy generating 1303GWh – a 5% increase compared to November 2022. The figures are based on EirGrid's SCADA data compiled by MullanGrid and market data provided by ElectroRoute.
The report signifies a notable step forward in Ireland's renewable energy landscape, emphasizing the potential for wind energy to play a pivotal role in both environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
