Wind generation in Ireland in July was the third highest on record for the month, according to Wind Energy Ireland’s latest monthly report.
Wind farms supplied 24% of the country’s electricity during the month, up slightly from July 2024, although wholesale electricity prices rose marginally after several months of sustained falls.
A total of 786GWh of electricity was generated by wind in July, with Cork topping the county rankings for the first time this year, producing 85GWh.
Kerry followed closely with 84GWh, ahead of Offaly with 54GWh, Galway with 53GWh and Mayo with 51GWh. The top three counties accounted for more than a quarter of Ireland’s wind output last month.
Justin Moran, director of external affairs at Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Electricity generated by Irish wind farms replaces imported fossil fuels and pushes down wholesale electricity prices.
“The more wind we can get on the system, the less we have to rely on expensive imported gas, and the more we can do to help bring down the cost of energy bills.”
He added: “Wind farms, like those in Cork and Kerry, are playing an important part in reducing our dependency on imported fossil fuels and boosting Ireland’s energy security.”
Moran warned that grid constraints were limiting Ireland’s ability to take full advantage of wind generation.
“Every year we are losing more and more of Ireland’s most affordable renewable electricity because our existing grid is not strong enough to take the power our wind farms produce,” he said.
“The additional €3.5 billion for grid development announced in the revised National Development Plan will help transform our electricity system and speed up the delivery of clean and affordable power to Irish homes and businesses.”
The average wholesale electricity price in July was €99.61/MWh, down 10% on the €110.94/MWh recorded in the same month last year.
On days with the most wind generation, the average cost fell to €84.80/MWh, compared with €111.55/MWh when the system relied almost entirely on fossil fuels.
“Having an affordable, accessible and reliable source of clean energy is vital for consumers to have confidence in our transition to a zero-carbon society,” Moran said.
“Research published in 2025 shows that since 2000, renewable electricity has – conservatively – saved consumers nearly €1 billion and that figure will keep rising.”
Wind energy accounted for 31% of Ireland’s electricity in the first seven months of 2025, the report confirmed.