Ireland's electricity consumption in 2024 reveals a notable dependence on both fossil and low-carbon energy sources. Over 40% of Ireland's electricity is generated from clean energy sources such as wind, hydropower, biofuels, and solar. Wind energy, in particular, makes up a significant chunk, with more than a third of the total electricity supply coming from this source. Hydropower, biofuels, and solar contribute smaller but meaningful portions to the energy mix. On the other hand, fossil fuels still account for slightly more than half of the electricity generation, with gas being the primary contributor at about 41%, while coal contributes close to none. This mix highlights both progress toward cleaner energy and the existing reliance on fossil fuels, which poses environmental challenges such as climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Ireland?
Electricity consumption in Ireland indicates a slight decline from historic levels. The latest figure of 6,509 kWh per person is a decrease from the 2006 record of 6,854 kWh per person, marking a drop of 345 kWh per person. Furthermore, the low-carbon output also shows a similar path, experiencing a decrease of 66 kWh per person from its 2020 peak. These numbers reflect a stagnant phase in electricity consumption that raises concerns, especially with the increasing demand for electrification and emerging technologies like AI. It's crucial to address this brief downturn to cater to future energy needs adequately.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Ireland has ample room to build on its successful wind power infrastructure. By increasing investment in wind energy, Ireland can boost its clean energy output significantly. Additionally, looking at successful regions like Denmark and South Dakota, which generate more than half of their electricity from wind, can provide valuable insights into scaling up these efforts. Furthermore, learning from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy constitutes a major portion of the electricity supply, could pave the way for Ireland to explore expanding its clean energy portfolio with nuclear investments, alongside increasing solar capacity as seen in regions such as Nevada. These steps will cement Ireland's commitment to sustainable and innovative electricity solutions.
History
Historically, Ireland has seen impressive growth in its wind energy generation, particularly during the last two decades. The early 2000s marked a steady increase, with significant wind power growth in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009. Despite mild declines in select years, such as 2012 and 2016, the potential of wind energy has been considerably realized, as evidenced by record contributions in 2020. The increased output has unfortunately seen some declines in recent years, including in 2021 due to transient factors. Recognizing and addressing these shortcomings, it is vital that Ireland continues to harness its wind potential while also exploring other low-carbon technologies to match past growth and fulfill future demands.
