Wind farms generated more than a quarter of Ireland’s electricity last month, new data has shown, and has provided 32 per cent of the country’s electricity so far this year.
The report, from Wind Energy Ireland, said strong winds in the second half of November pushed wind farms to provide 29 per cent of electricity for the country, despite a drop in power generation compared to the same period in previous years.
But that proportion could be higher, with challenges in the transmission network meaning 14 per cent of wind energy was lost over the first 10 months of the year, Wind Energy Ireland said, That is due to “record levels of constraints” on the electricity grid that limit the amount of power Irish wind farms are allowed to provide, with the grid not strong enough to carry it.
According to the report, the average wholesale price of electricity per megawatt-hour during November the highest it had been for the year, at €146.14. That average cost rose to €196.81 per megawatt hour when Ireland was dependent on fossil fuels to generate electricity, but fell 26 per cent to €108.84.
“When our wind and solar farms are generating electricity, we need a strong grid to ensure we can use it and we need long-duration energy storage so we can save the excess renewable energy for when we need it,” said Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland. “Over the first 10 months of the year, 14 per cent of wind energy production was lost because of challenges with the transmission network. Irish families and businesses simply can’t afford to be using expensive, imported, fossil fuels instead of cheaper clean energy simply because the grid isn’t strong enough to carry it.”
The organisation has called on support from all parties to make reinforcing the electricity grid among the top priorities for those who want to be in the next government.
“The incoming Dáil will be at the forefront of enabling our energy transition and, as negotiations to form our next Government begin, Wind Energy Ireland is asking political parties to prioritise Irish electricity consumers who want secure, affordable, power in the next Programme for Government,” Mr Cunniffe said.
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