In the first half of 2024, Ireland's wind farms contributed 34% of the country's electricity supply, marking a significant increase from previous years, according to the latest Wind Energy Ireland report released on Tuesday.
During June 2024, wind power generation reached 771 gigawatt-hours (GWh), the third-highest for a June month on record. This output met 25% of Ireland's electricity demand, up 5% from the same period last year, with additional contributions from solar and other renewables accounting for a further 8%.
Kerry led as the top wind energy producer last month, generating 90GWh, followed closely by Cork (82GWh), Galway (67GWh), Donegal (52GWh), and Tipperary (47GWh).
“The first half of the year has been strong for Irish wind farms, supplying just over a third of our electricity so far,” said Wind Energy Ireland CEO Noel Cunniffe. “This clean electricity production is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and bolstering our renewable energy mix.”
Cunniffe emphasized the importance of renewable energy in lowering electricity prices and enhancing local energy supply resilience. He highlighted concerns from Wind Energy Ireland's Repowering Ireland paper, urging government action to extend planning permissions for existing wind farms facing closure threats.
The report also noted fluctuations in wholesale electricity prices, averaging €107.74 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in June 2024. Days with high wind power availability saw prices drop to €86.78/MWh, contrasting with peaks of €125.98/MWh on fossil fuel-dependent days.
The findings draw from comprehensive data sources including EirGrid's SCADA, market insights from ElectroRoute, and SEMO daily metered generated data compiled by Green Collective.
