The amount of electricity produced by wind energy hit a new record for March last month, according to a new report.
Wind Energy Ireland data published today (Monday, April 8) shows that Irish wind farms generated 1,541 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of power in March 2024.
The previous record for the month of 1,392 GWh was set in March 2020.
The report shows that wind energy provided 43% of Ireland’s electricity last month.
The increase in wind energy production comes as the average wholesale price of electricity in March 2024 was €88.67, down 40% from €145.25 in March 2023.
Wind energy
The monthly wind energy report also includes generation figures at a county level for the first time and identifies the top five counties in Ireland for clean energy.
Kerry produced the most wind power last month (187 GWh), followed by Cork (163 GWh) and Tipperary (106 GWh).
Together, the top three counties generated enough electricity to meet nearly a third of Ireland’s total electricity demand.
Justin Moran, director of external affairs, Wind Energy Ireland, said that every time a wind turbine is generating electricity it is reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels.
“The quicker we can build wind farms, the sooner we can help to bring down the cost of electricity and support struggling electricity consumers.
“We hope to see the new Planning and Development Bill enacted this year which will help to modernise the Irish planning system and ensure that planning applications are thoroughly, but quickly, examined,” he said.
“Irish wind farms, and particularly those in Kerry, are playing an enormous part in reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions by over 4 million tonnes a year and creating significant opportunities in job creation and funding for rural communities.
“As new wind farms connect to the grid the amount of money invested by our members in local communities will only grow. By developing our renewable energy sector, we can build an Ireland that is energy independent, delivering warmer homes and cleaner air,” Moran added.
He also urged the public to support a campaign to improve the national electricity grid, including the North-South Interconnector which he said is “essential to a modern Irish electricity grid”.