Electricity in Ireland in 2023/2024

Over the past 12 months, from July 2023 to June 2024, electricity consumption in Ireland has been almost evenly split between fossil and low-carbon energy sources. Fossil energy sources make up a significant portion of the mix, with gas alone accounting for nearly 40% and coal adding around another 3%. In total, fossil sources contribute approximately 44% of Ireland's electricity. On the other hand, low-carbon sources are close behind, with wind power leading at nearly 35%, followed by biofuels and hydropower, which collectively add close to 8%. Net imports of electricity make up a notable 13%, with their carbon intensity depending on the source in the exporting countries, and cannot be categorized definitively as either fossil or low-carbon.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Ireland can expand its existing wind power capacity, which is already contributing more than a third of the total electricity. Countries like Denmark, which generates around 61% of its electricity from wind, set a strong example of how effective such a strategy could be. Additionally, incorporating nuclear power could be a game-changer for Ireland, following the lead of France, where nuclear power generates about 67% of electricity, or Slovakia with 60%. Integrating more solar energy is also a feasibility, taking cues from Greece and Chile, where solar energy contributes 22% and 21%, respectively. Such a diversified mix of wind, solar, and nuclear energy could drive Ireland toward a more sustainable and secure energy future, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels and thereby mitigating climate change and air pollution.

History

Ireland's history with low-carbon electricity, particularly wind power, has seen a steady rise over the last two decades. Starting in the mid-2000s, Ireland added around 0.5 TWh of wind energy in several consecutive years, with notable increases in 2011 and 2015 when wind generation jumped by 1.6 TWh and 1.4 TWh, respectively. More recent years have seen significant gains, such as 2.2 TWh in 2020, although there have been occasional declines, like the drop of 1.8 TWh in 2021. Biofuels began contributing around 0.4 TWh in 2020, while a similar increase was observed for both biofuels and hydropower in the last recorded period. However, solar saw a minor decrease of 0.4 TWh in the same interval. These historical changes underline Ireland's increasing commitment to wind energy while highlighting the potential for expanding its portfolio to include more solar and nuclear options for a more robust low-carbon grid.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources