Recent data reveals that in April 2024, Irish wind farms produced 1,076 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, marginally lower than the previous record of 1,112 GWh set in April 2023. Wind energy provided 32 per cent of Ireland's electricity last month while the report also shows the average wholesale price of electricity in April 2024 was €88.52, down 30 per cent from €125.57 in April 2023.
Kerry mantained its position as the leading county in wind power generation, producing 128 GWh last month. Following closely behind were Cork (120 GWh), Tipperary (76.6 GWh), Galway (76.4 GWh), and Donegal (55 GWh). Collectively, these top three counties contributed 30 percent of Ireland's wind energy output.
Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: "These results emphasise the contribution that wind energy is making to insulate Irish families and businesses from expensive fossil fuels. We know we can make an even bigger difference if we can connect more wind farms and last week saw significant progress with the announcement of Ireland’s first Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), marking a historic moment for the development of offshore wind energy in Ireland.”
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"The SEAI's most recent National Energy Balance report shows Ireland’s energy related emissions fell to their lowest level in three decades last year, which is a positive step in the right direction. But to significantly cut our carbon emissions, we need to accelerate the pace at which we build more on and offshore wind farms by modernising our planning system to ensure that planning applications are thoroughly, but quickly, examined."
Wind Energy Ireland highlighted that last month, 9.6 percent of potential wind energy was lost due to grid limitations. In such instances, wind farms are compelled to scale back their power output or halt operations altogether.
Noel Cunniffe added: "We also need an electricity grid strong enough to decarbonise our energy system. We are calling for cross-party political support at every level for EirGrid and ESB Networks to develop a much stronger grid for Ireland and to deliver critical projects like the North-South Interconnector.
"With local and European elections taking place next month, we are encouraging candidates to include planning and grid in their top priorities for election. If we all work together to overcome these challenges, we will deliver cleaner power, cheaper power and lay the foundation for Irish energy independence for our communities."
The analysis confirmed that wind energy accounted for 38 percent of Ireland's electricity supply in the initial four months of this year. Concurrently, the grid's carbon intensity averaged 222 g/kWh during the same period. The results of this report are based on EirGrid's SCADA data compiled by MullanGrid, market data provided by ElectroRoute and SEMO daily metered generated data compiled by Green Collective.
