Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 7, Ireland achieved notable milestones in renewable energy during March, with provisional data from EirGrid indicating that 39% of the nation’s electricity came from renewable sources. Solar power played a significant role, contributing to a new record on 25 March when grid-scale solar reached over 750MW, surpassing the previous high of 732MW set in July 2024 by 18MW. This marked a peak moment for solar energy integration into the grid.
Wind energy remained the leading renewable source, accounting for 32.6% of electricity in March. This follows a record set in February for wind power, reinforcing its critical role in Ireland’s energy mix. Overall, March ranked as the third-highest month for solar-powered electricity production in the country’s history, highlighting a strong performance for renewables.
Beyond solar and wind, the month saw additional records on the power system. On 14 March, grid-scale battery discharge hit an all-time high of just under 300MW, exceeding the maximum output of the Turlough Hill hydropower facility. This milestone underscores the growing importance of energy storage in supporting renewable integration.
In terms of overall electricity generation, gas led as the largest single source at 39%, while wind covered a third of total demand. Imports via interconnection met 18% of consumption, with system demand reaching 3061GWh for the month. Renewables supplied up to 75% of electricity at certain times, the current grid capacity limit, though output dipped as low as 5% during other periods.
EirGrid is advancing efforts to enhance the grid through reinforcements, upgrades, and new infrastructure. These initiatives align with the government’s goal of enabling 80% of electricity to come from renewable sources. System operational manager Charlie McGee commented on the progress: “March was a landmark month for solar power on the electricity grid. While just under 3% of total electricity generation came from solar for the month, during particularly sunny periods this peaked at over 18% which augurs well for further records this summer. This is made possible by the connection of greater amounts of grid-scale solar as we work towards achieving a cleaner energy future for Ireland’s power system.”
McGee also highlighted the role of battery storage, noting: “It was also encouraging to see a new peak set for power discharged from batteries on the grid. February’s wind power record followed by a new solar peak in March shows the need for battery storage so we can hold greater amounts of renewable electricity in reserve for use during periods of high demand.” These developments signal a promising trajectory for Ireland’s renewable energy landscape.
