Welcome to IEA Wind Member Country Activities for Ireland

The strong growth trend in Ireland’s installed wind power capacity continued in 2010 with an annual increase of 9%. The additional capacity also leads to new records in wind power production. On the afternoon of 26 December 2010, 1,228 MW was generating. Instantaneous wind power penetration levels in the Irish electricity system have exceeded 45% at times during 2010. This is remarkable given the small isolated nature of Ireland’s electricity grid. Exceptionally cold periods at the start and the close of the year and prolonged still periods during the summer months made 2010 an historically low wind year.

Much innovative work is ongoing to facilitate the de-carbonizing of Ireland’s energy supply and with a planned trebling of wind capacity. The next decade will pose significant challenges particularly in permitting and grid expansion. Where grid access is available the details of conditions of access have yet to be finalized.

Ireland’s dependence on imported fossil fuels remains at 89% of total primary energy (3). Between 1990 and 2009, gas-fired electricity generation increased by 227%. Wind capacity increased from less than 1 MW to 1,311 MW over the same period. These were the primary factors that reduced the carbon intensity of electricity from 896 g CO2 /kWh to 533 g CO2/kWh in that period. Renewable energy in Ireland, which accounts for 4.9% of energy consumed, avoids approximately 3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. In 2009, wind energy accounted for 38% of renewable energy or 1.9% of national gross final energy consumption.