In June, renewable sources supplied approximately one-third of Ireland's total electricity demand, according to provisional data from grid operator EirGrid. Grid-scale solar energy reached a new peak, generating 110 gigawatt hours (GWh), which met 4.4% of the month's electricity demand. Wind energy also performed robustly, contributing over a quarter of the electricity used, with a total generation of 635GWh, marking the third-highest monthly figure recorded.
The remaining portion of the 33.5% renewable electricity came from various sources including hydropower and biomass. Overall electricity system demand for June stood at 2482GWh.
Gas generation accounted for 42% of electricity used, while 20% was imported via interconnection, 3% from coal, and the remaining 1% from other sources.
EirGrid is tasked with leading Ireland's transition to a low carbon future, aiming for 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030 as per government targets. Earlier this year, EirGrid reduced the minimum number of large conventional fossil-fuelled generators operating on the grid to facilitate lower carbon emissions and greater integration of renewable energy sources.
Charlie McGee, System Operational Manager at EirGrid, highlighted the significance of solar and wind contributions: “June saw a particularly high output from solar generation, playing an increasingly important part in our efforts to increase renewable electricity. Wind energy also remained strong, surpassing 600GWh for the third time in June despite summer wind speeds.”
McGee added, “More generation capacity coming online has bolstered these figures, demonstrating progress in our renewable energy goals.”
