Solar and Wind to Supply Over 350,000 Homes

Ireland’s renewable energy sector has received a major boost as the fifth Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction provisionally secured enough clean electricity to power 357,000 homes.

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien said the auction, which followed the success of the previous four rounds, had provisionally awarded 1,500 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity, bringing the country closer to its target of meeting 80 per cent of electricity demand from renewable sources.

Solar power emerged as the dominant technology, highlighting its rapid growth and complementing wind generation to provide more reliable year-round electricity. The successful projects include just over 1,000 megawatts of onshore renewable capacity, made up of 218 megawatts of wind and 860 megawatts of solar.

The weighted average price of 98.81 euros per megawatt hour represents only a modest increase from last year and remains well below inflation. Generators will be supported only when market prices are low and are required to repay customers when prices are high, providing protection for electricity consumers.

The RESS projects will also contribute around 45 million euros over the lifetime of the scheme to a community benefit fund. The Minister said the auction would create investment and jobs across the country and strengthen Ireland’s energy independence, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.

July marked the first full month without coal in the national electricity mix after Moneypoint’s closure, underlining Ireland’s progress in its clean energy transition. Government planning frameworks now include regional allocations for wind and solar to ensure a steady pipeline of renewable projects and to meet ambitious national targets.

Full provisional results of the RESS 5 auction are available on the EirGrid website.