Over the last year, from September 2024 to August 2025, Ireland's electricity landscape saw a varied mix of energy sources. Fossil fuels held a significant portion, contributing to over 43% of electricity generation, with gas being the dominant player, accounting for nearly 39%. In contrast, low-carbon energy, which includes wind, solar, biofuels, and hydropower, made up 42% of the electricity mix. Of this, wind was the most prominent low-carbon source, generating almost a third of the total electricity. Solar power, biofuels, and hydropower contributed modestly, each providing only a small fraction. Net imports also played a role, accounting for close to 15% of electricity needs, possibly supplementing periods of high demand or low local generation.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Ireland?
Ireland is experiencing a promising yet slow growth in electricity consumption, with 2025 setting a new record of 6986 kWh per person, slightly surpassing the previous high in 2006. This indicates a slight increase of 131 kWh per person, suggesting a growing electricity consumption trend, although the pace is slow and might be insufficient to meet future demands, such as those from electrification and technological advancements like AI. More importantly, the share of clean, low-carbon electricity per person also reached unprecedented levels, with the current figure at 2934 kWh, an increase of 249 kWh compared to its own historic record in 2024. This uptick in low-carbon electricity generation is a positive stride towards meeting environmental goals and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation further, Ireland could expand its successful wind power infrastructure, given its track record of being a major contributor to clean electricity. Additionally, lessons from regions like Denmark, where wind constitutes nearly half of the electricity mix, could be applied. On the solar front, inspiration might be drawn from countries like Lebanon and Nevada, where solar electricity constitutes around 30% and more of the local mix, respectively. Moreover, Ireland could consider integrating nuclear energy into its strategy, learning from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear powers a significant majority of the electricity supply. By adopting and adapting these successful models, Ireland can strengthen its green energy contributions and secure a sustainable energy future.
History
Ireland's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has witnessed significant milestones over the decades, especially in wind energy. In the 2000s, wind power saw gradual increments, such as the steady 0.5 TWh increase in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009. The early 2010s marked a period of fluctuation, with a notable 1.6 TWh surge in 2011 and further, albeit smaller, increments in the subsequent years. Wind power particularly shined in 2020 with a remarkable increase of 2.6 TWh, despite a temporary decline in 2021. The recent years show a promising diversification with solar power contributing an increase of 0.8 TWh in 2025, reflecting Ireland’s commitment to broadening its low-carbon energy portfolio. Such historical insights highlight the positive trajectory and potential for further growth in sustainable electricity generation.