Renewable Energy Powers Ireland's Grid

Renewable energy sources accounted for a third of Ireland's total electricity demand in September, according to provisional data from grid operator EirGrid.

Wind energy was the primary contributor, providing just under 29% of the electricity used. With a total generation of 776 GWh, September 2024 marked the second-highest September figure for wind energy on record.

Grid-scale solar also played a role, contributing 2.7% of electricity in September. Gas generation accounted for 44% of the total electricity used.


EirGrid is leading Ireland's transition to a low-carbon future, aiming to achieve 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. To achieve this goal, EirGrid is working to increase the system non-synchronous penetration (SNSP) limit, which currently stands at 75%.

Diarmaid Gillespie, Director of System Operations at EirGrid, said: "While solar generation was down from record highs during the summer the September total was still higher than for any month last year, which signals the progress being made in connecting greater amounts of renewable energy to the national grid.

"Wind energy represented the vast majority of renewable generation last month, which demonstrates the continued centrality of this source of electricity for the power system."