Grid constraints forced cut in power supply in Ireland by wind in 2024

DUBLIN, Ireland: An energy company has said that the share of electricity in Ireland supplied by wind fell during 2024 due to grid constraints.

Wind Energy Ireland reported that wind power supplied almost one-third of all electricity in Ireland last year, but this was three percent less than in 2023.

According to the annual report released on January 10, the decline was mainly due to wind farms being shut down when the electricity grid couldn't handle the extra power.

The report also highlighted rising electricity prices. In December, the average wholesale price was 136.99 euros per megawatt-hour, up from 88.97 euros in December 2023.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, called 2024 "the worst year on record" for wind power being wasted. He explained that when turbines are shut off due to grid issues, it leads to higher energy bills and more carbon emissions.

The government's funding in Budget 2025 is expected to strengthen the grid to handle more wind energy.

Last year, wind farms provided 32 percent of Ireland's electricity, increasing to 41 percent in December. Cork produced the most wind energy, followed by Kerry, Galway, and Offaly, with Offaly making the top four for the first time.

Ireland now has 5,000 MW of onshore wind capacity, which is over halfway to the 2030 Climate Action Plan goal of 9,000 MW. In 2024, wind farms generated 13,258 GWh of electricity, enough to power 1.5 times the total energy needs of all homes in Ireland.

The report's data comes from EirGrid, MullanGrid, ElectroRoute, and Green Collective.

Cunniffe said, "Irish people want the clean energy that wind farms provide and by growing our renewable energy sector, we can build an Ireland that is energy independent, delivering warm homes, cleaner air, and one that meets the needs of our growing economy."