Beatrice Lang
Ireland's electricity comes from a variety of energy sources, including gas, coal, peat, oil, and renewables such as wind, hydro, and biomass. In 2023, 47% of metered electricity came from gas, with renewable sources accounting for 39% (mainly wind power). Ireland has been phasing out the burning of peat for electricity generation and reducing coal use, with coal-fired power plants now banned in certain areas to improve air quality. The country has set targets to increase the share of electricity generated from renewables, with wind power capacity at 4,405 MW by the end of 2021, producing 31% of its electricity needs that year. Ireland imports a significant portion of its energy, with gas supplied by the UK and Norway, and oil and coal previously imported from Russia.
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What You'll Learn
Electricity generation sources
Ireland employs a variety of energy sources for electricity production, including gas, coal, peat, oil, and renewables such as wind, hydropower, solar, and biomass. The country has never produced electricity from nuclear power plants, and legislation now explicitly prohibits its introduction.
In 2022, natural gas produced 51.8% of Ireland's average electricity demand, while wind turbines generated 28.1%, coal 7%, and peat 6.8%. In 2023, 47% of metered electricity came from gas and 39% from wind. In the same year, during a 30-minute peak in demand from 6 pm to 6:30 pm in January, 42% of electricity was generated from renewables, with the majority coming from wind power.
Ireland has been phasing out the burning of peat for electricity generation, with the last power station fired by peat, Edenderry, now co-firing peat with biomass. The country has a growing installed wind power capacity, producing 31% of its electricity needs in 2021. Ireland also sources gas from the Corrib gas field, which will provide up to 50-60% of its gas needs for the next few years. However, it is expected to be depleted by 2025, which will increase the country's dependence on gas imports.
To meet renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse gases, the Irish government has set goals for 40% of electricity consumption to come from renewable sources. The overall efficiency of electricity supply has improved due to the introduction of higher-efficiency natural gas plants, the closure of older peat-fired stations, and increased direct generation from renewable sources.
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Energy imports
Ireland is a net energy importer, with an import dependency of 85% in 2014. The country has been trying to reduce its energy import dependency, with a target of sourcing 32% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. In 2020, renewables accounted for 13.5% of Ireland's energy share, with wind power alone producing 31% of the country's electricity needs. In 2023, 39% of metered electricity was generated by wind power, and 47% by gas.
Ireland's energy imports consist of gas, coal, oil, and peat. The country has historically relied on peat as a fuel for electricity generation and domestic heating. However, in recent years, Ireland has been phasing out the burning of peat, with the last power station to use it closing in 2023.
Ireland imports gas from the UK, which is considered one of the most secure sources of gas in Europe due to its diverse supply network. The country also receives liquefied natural gas (LNG) transported by ship from Qatar. The Corrib gas field, located off the coast of Mayo, is expected to provide up to 50-60% of Ireland's gas needs for the next few years. However, it is projected to be depleted by 2025, which may increase Ireland's dependence on gas imports.
Ireland imported a small percentage of its energy needs from Russia before the invasion of Ukraine, including coal for the ESB coal-fired power station at Moneypoint in County Clare. However, the country has a greater indirect dependency on Russian energy, particularly for refined fuels such as diesel.
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Renewable energy sources
Ireland's electricity sector is regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which also oversees the natural gas market. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was established as the country's national energy authority under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002. SEAI's mission is to advise the government and deliver programmes aimed at transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies, and practices.
In 2023, about two-thirds (67.4%) of Ireland's renewable energy went into electricity generation, with wind power being the largest source, contributing 33.7% of the country's electricity supply. Solar PV generation accounted for 1.9% of the electricity supply in 2023, up from just over 2MW in 2015. By February 2024, the solar PV capacity connected to the grid had increased to 1GW.
Other renewable sources include hydropower, landfill gas, biomass, and biogas. The share of electricity from renewable energy increased fivefold between 2005 and 2020, and there was a sevenfold increase in the annual quantity of renewable electricity generated. Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP 24) includes a target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources to 80% by 2030.
The country has moved away from traditional thermal power plants, which use coal, peat, or biomass and have low efficiency. Instead, it has embraced higher efficiency natural gas plants and increased direct generation from renewable sources. The closure of older peat-fired stations, such as the West Offaly Power Station, has also contributed to improving the efficiency of Ireland's electricity supply.
Ireland has never produced any electricity from nuclear power stations, and legislation explicitly forbids the introduction of nuclear power.
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Nuclear power
In 1973, the Coalition Government approved the construction of a nuclear power station at Carnsore Point, which was touted as the "best site for a nuclear power station in the whole of Europe." The plan, proposed by the Electricity Supply Board, included four reactors at the site. However, due to strong opposition and shifting political landscapes, the plan was dropped in 1981.
Despite the absence of nuclear power plants in Ireland, the country has not completely ruled out the use of nuclear energy. In 2007, a survey indicated that 27% of Irish citizens favoured an "increased use" of nuclear energy. Additionally, in 2006, a government-commissioned report suggested that Ireland reconsider nuclear power to secure its long-term energy security. The idea of a small-scale, Generation IV nuclear station has been considered, and in 2007, Ireland's Electricity Supply Board expressed interest in partnering with a European Union energy company to build nuclear capacity.
While Ireland does not produce nuclear power, its electricity grid has become increasingly interconnected with neighbouring countries, including the UK and France. Through these connections, Ireland receives electricity generated from nuclear power plants overseas, including the Welsh Wylfa fission-electric power station. The Celtic Interconnector, a project connecting Ireland and France, is expected to be completed by 2025, further integrating Ireland into broader continental electricity systems.
Although nuclear power has been a divisive topic in Ireland, the country continues to fund nuclear fusion energy research and explore various options for nuclear power plants, including Molten Salt Reactors, Generation 4 plants, and SMRs (Small Modular Reactors). These options aim to provide safe, low-cost, and low-carbon power while addressing energy security concerns.
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Energy efficiency
Ireland has historically used peat, a fuel composed of decayed plants and other organic matter, to generate electricity and for domestic heating. However, the country has been transitioning towards more sustainable energy sources. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), established under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002, aims to transform Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies, and practices.
In 2022, Ireland's electricity was generated from coal (7%), peat (6.8%), natural gas (51.8%), wind turbines (28.1%), and hydropower. The efficiency of electricity supply has improved over the years due to the introduction of higher-efficiency natural gas plants, the closure of older peat-fired stations, and increased direct generation from renewable sources.
Ireland has set ambitious targets for renewable energy. Under the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, the country aimed to produce 16% of its energy needs from renewables by 2020. While it fell short of this target, reaching only 13.5%, Ireland has continued to prioritize renewable energy sources. By 2021, wind power capacity had reached 4,405 MW, producing 31% of the country's electricity needs.
To further improve energy efficiency, Ireland has introduced initiatives such as the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, which offers loans of up to €75,000 for energy efficiency upgrades like home insulation. The SEAI also provides grants for electric vehicle (EV) chargers, encouraging the adoption of low-cost, environmentally friendly ways to power vehicles. Additionally, heat pumps, which use renewable energy to heat homes, have gained popularity, with the government aiming to retrofit 400,000 homes with heat pumps by 2030.
By transitioning away from traditional thermal power plants, which have low efficiency, and embracing renewable energy sources like wind and hydropower, which are 100% efficient, Ireland is making significant strides towards improving its energy efficiency and reducing its environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of electricity in Ireland are gas, coal, peat, oil, and renewables such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass.
In 2020, renewables accounted for 13.5% of Ireland's energy requirements. In 2023, 47% of metered electricity came from gas and 39% from wind. In January 2023, 42% of electricity during the 30-minute peak demand period came from renewables, with the majority coming from wind power.
No, Ireland has never produced nuclear power and legislation has been put in place to forbid its introduction.
The Irish government has set a target of 40% of electricity consumption to come from renewable sources. The overall target is 32% by 2030.
