Ireland Renewable Energy: Wind & Solar Capacity Reaches 8GW | RTÉ

Ireland Surpasses 8GW of Renewable Electricity Capacity, Driven by Wind and Solar Growth

Ireland’s renewable electricity capacity has reached a significant milestone, exceeding 8 gigawatts (GW) as of early 2026, fueled by substantial increases in both wind and solar power generation. An additional 189 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar capacity connected to the national grid during January and February alone, marking a major step forward in the country’s energy transition. This surge in renewable energy comes at a time of global energy uncertainty and rising prices, prompting officials to emphasize the importance of homegrown energy sources for both climate action and economic stability.

Record Wind Generation and a Growing Solar Sector

February 2026 saw a latest peak for wind energy in Ireland, with provisional data from EirGrid indicating that wind power supplied 41% of all electricity consumed during the month. This surpassed gas generation, which accounted for 37% of the electricity supply. The rapid growth of the solar power sector is also contributing significantly, now representing the third-highest share of indigenous electricity generation on the grid. Ireland has doubled its wind energy capacity over the past decade and now leads Europe in electricity generated from onshore wind farms.

Minister O’Brien Highlights Energy Security

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, welcomed the data from ESB Networks, stating that expanding Ireland’s renewable capacity is “essential for delivering long-term energy security and price stability for Irish households and businesses.” He further emphasized the need to reduce Ireland’s reliance on imported fossil fuels to mitigate the impact of global price fluctuations. “It’s now more significant than ever that we reduce Ireland’s exposure to imported fossil fuel price shocks,” the Minister said.

Understanding Ireland’s Renewable Energy Targets

Ireland has set ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption. The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future – commits to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030. This commitment is part of a broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% from 2018 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The country is also participating in the Hamburg Declaration, committing to a strong pipeline of offshore wind energy in the North Seas, aiming for 100GW of delivery in the coming years and 300GW by 2050.

How Ireland’s Electricity Grid is Adapting

Integrating increasing amounts of renewable energy into the electricity grid requires significant infrastructure upgrades and sophisticated grid management techniques. EirGrid, the operator of Ireland’s electricity grid, plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability and reliability of the system as the proportion of variable renewable energy sources – like wind and solar – increases. The grid must be able to balance supply and demand in real-time, accounting for the intermittent nature of these sources. This involves investments in grid reinforcement, energy storage solutions, and advanced forecasting technologies. Currently, Ireland has nearly 8GW of renewable electricity generation capacity installed, with approximately 5GW from onshore wind and over 2.2GW from solar PV, supplemented by hydro, biomass, and other smaller sources.

The Role of Biomass and Offshore Wind

While wind and solar are driving the most significant growth in renewable electricity capacity, other sources also contribute to Ireland’s energy mix. Biomass plays a role, and the government is actively working to enable the emerging biomethane market through the Renewable Heat Obligation scheme. Ireland is prioritizing the development of offshore wind energy, recognizing its potential to enhance Europe’s energy security. The country’s commitment to the Hamburg Declaration underscores this focus, with ambitious targets for offshore wind deployment in the North Seas.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the significant progress, challenges remain in accelerating the energy transition. Continued investment in grid infrastructure is essential to accommodate the growing influx of renewable energy. Streamlining planning processes for renewable energy projects is also crucial to ensure timely deployment. Developing energy storage solutions will be vital to address the intermittency of wind and solar power. However, the opportunities are substantial. The energy transition represents a “momentous opportunity” to enhance the competitiveness of Irish industries, create new business opportunities, and improve the quality of life for citizens. Ireland aims to be an international leader in the energy transition and the development of high-quality renewable energy.