Renewable energy in the Republic of Ireland

Wind power has been growing steadily in the Republic of Ireland by around 200 MW per year rising from 1,027 MW in 2008 to 4,351 MW by year end 2020. The grids of the Republic and Northern Ireland are integrated, and the combined wind power capacity is 5,030 MW.[12] During the year 2020 wind power provided 36.3% of the country's electricity[13][14] On 5 February 2022 at 17:45, an all-time record was broken in Ireland, with wind generating 3,603 MW.[15]

As of 2022 almost all wind power generation in Ireland is onshore. However, the Irish government plans to have 5 GW of offshore wind capacity built by 2030, with a goal of 35 GW by 2050.[16]

Solar PV installed capacity in Ireland is amongst the lowest in Europe, it was just over 2MW in 2015. In the same year the corresponding figure for the United Kingdom was 8,915 MW[21] and for Denmark 790 MW.[22] In 2015 the country had the lowest capacity per inhabitant of all EU countries, only Latvia had a lower absolute capacity.[23] Predictions for future growth in installed capacity vary widely from 500 MW by 2021 to 3,700 MW by 2030 with government support.[24]

Solar radiation and photovoltaic electricity potential in Ireland using optimally inclined photovoltaic modules

*Converted using IEA unit converter.

Solid biomass was used mostly in the heating and cooling sector providing 222 ktoe of energy, it was also used to generate some electricity at 28 ktoe of energy. Biogas was used mostly in the production of electricity contributing 18 ktoe.

In 2014 Biodiesel provided 90 ktoe to the transport sector whilst Bioethanol/Bio-ETBE provided 27 ktoe.

Overall renewable energy sources show a target trajectory of 6.6% share in 2010 rising to 14% by 2020. The electricity sector shows the most ambitious trajectory with a rise from 6.9% of total supply in 2005 to 42.5% by 2020.

According to Ireland's third progress report, by 2014 the country had achieved an 8.6% share of overall energy use from renewable energy sources. This was below the targeted 11% share planned for that year. Renewable energy use in the electricity sector was the furthest from its target of just over 8 percentage points below its target for the year.

In 2020 Ireland reached its renewable electricity target averaging at 40% renewable through the year (mostly from wind).[13] Heating and cooling and transport targets were not reached.