Wind and solar generation significantly reduced gas and carbon costs across Ireland in 2025, according to a report commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland.
The Cutting Carbon, Cutting Bills report, produced by Baringa Partners, found renewable output saved up to €13 million per day during winter price peaks when gas prices were highest.
The study said 13.8TWh of wind generation displaced more than €1.4 billion in gas and carbon costs, while solar farms delivered a further €115 million in savings.
Across Ireland and Northern Ireland, spending on gas for electricity fell by more than €1.1 billion, with an additional €426 million saved on carbon credits. Total savings across the all-island market exceeded €1.5 billion, the report found.
The reduction in fossil-fuel generation avoided more than 5 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2025, equivalent to the annual energy-related emissions of roughly 1.2 million households.
“Instead of importing more than one billion euro of gas, Irish wind farms helped to push down prices and kept money at home, supporting our economy,” said Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland.
“We cannot be energy secure if we rely on gas markets dominated by the likes of Vladimir Putin,” he added.
Ronan Power, chief executive of Solar Ireland, said solar was already reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.
“As this report shows, solar is already cutting exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets,” Power said.
“With Ireland scaling towards 8 GW by 2030, its contribution to affordability, energy security and local economic value will continue to grow.”
Separate January data showed wind farms supplied 34% of Ireland’s electricity, generating about 1,400GWh in a month when demand reached a record 4,087GWh.
Wholesale electricity prices averaged €126.95/MWh in January, down from €167.51 in January 2025. Prices fell to €101.84/MWh on the windiest days and rose to €145.84/MWh when reliance on imported fossil fuels increased.
The report noted that grid constraints limited additional savings, as some wind generation could not be accommodated by the electricity network.
