Wind generation in Ireland was the third highest on record for the month of October, according to Wind Energy Ireland’s (WEI) monthly report.
The latest figures show wind energy provided 35% of Ireland’s electricity last month, while solar power and other renewables accounted for 4%.
Irish wind farms have generated nearly a third of the country’s electricity over the first 10 months of the year.
However, the trade association highlighted the increasing amount of wasted energy as a growing challenge, with record levels of constraints on the grid restricting the amount of power Irish wind farms are allowed to provide.
WEI pointed out that despite 2023 being a record year for the amount of electricity produced by wind at 13,725GWh, this figure is expected to fall in 2024.
This is partly due to energy being lost because the grid is simply not strong enough to carry it.
When this happens wind farms are instructed to reduce the amount of power they produce or shut down entirely, which means using more fossil fuels instead of renewables.
WEI’s director of external affairs Justin Moran said: “We are fortunate in Ireland to have natural resources like wind that can generate more affordable, clean electricity to power our local communities.
“While our wind farms performed well last month, this year is on track to be the worst on record for the amount of wind energy wasted.
“Over the first nine months of the year, 14% of wind energy production was lost because of challenges with the transmission network.
“To overcome this challenge, we want to see EirGrid get support right across Irish society for its plans to reinforce our transmission system, and it is welcome to see some political parties highlighting in their election manifestos their commitment to reinforcing our electricity grid.
“We would urge people to support the BuildOurGrid.ie campaign and projects like the North-South Interconnector which are essential to a robust, modern, Irish electricity grid.”
The average wholesale price of electricity in Ireland per megawatt-hour during October 2024 was €123.45, down slightly from €125.53 in October 2023.
Prices on days with the most wind power saw the average cost of a megawatt-hour of electricity fall 26% to €91.53 per megawatt-hour and rise to €176.52 on days when Ireland relied almost entirely on fossil fuels, WEI found.
Kerry maintained its lead position, producing more wind power than any other county (131GWh) in October.
It was closely followed by Cork (130GWh), Mayo (86GWh), Galway (83GWh) and Tipperary (75GWh).
Together, the top three counties produced over a quarter of Ireland’s wind power last month.
Moran added: “Irish wind farms, and last month particularly those in Kerry, are playing an enormous part in reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions by over 4 million tonnes a year and creating significant opportunities in job creation and funding for rural communities.
“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.
“With the General Election taking place this month, we are encouraging candidates to lead the way in supporting Ireland’s energy revolution and securing our supply of electricity produced at home.
“If we all work together, we will deliver cleaner power, cheaper power and lay the foundation for Irish energy independence for our communities.”
The results of this report are based on EirGrid’s SCADA data compiled by MullanGrid, market data provided by ElectroRoute and solar, other renewable and county-level wind generation data provided by Green Collective.