Ireland surpasses 3 gigawatts of solar capacity
Ireland has reached a significant milestone with installed solar capacity exceeding 3 gigawatts for the first time. This achievement reflects rapid growth in both rooftop panels and large-scale solar farms, contributing substantially to the national electricity grid and energy security.
Source:
Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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⏱️ 2 min read
Ireland has achieved a major breakthrough in renewable energy, with total installed solar capacity now exceeding 3 gigawatts. This milestone highlights the rapid expansion of solar power across the country, encompassing everything from residential rooftop installations to large utility-scale solar farms.
Earlier this week, a new record was set when utility-scale solar farms generated over 1.3 gigawatts at peak, supplying around one-third of the nation’s dispatchable electricity at that moment. Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, remarked that these developments demonstrate how solar energy is becoming an integral part of Ireland’s energy system, strengthening energy security through a growing supply of clean, homegrown electricity.
Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director of ESB Networks, emphasised that the milestone reflects the combined efforts of domestic solar panel adoption and large-scale renewable projects, supported by significant investment in the grid infrastructure. Since the commissioning of Ireland’s first grid-scale solar farm in April 2022, over 200,000 homes have installed solar panels, with more than 120,000 households benefiting from government grants. Support schemes such as the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), and Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) continue to promote solar uptake across all sectors, underpinning Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon future.
Earlier this week, a new record was set when utility-scale solar farms generated over 1.3 gigawatts at peak, supplying around one-third of the nation’s dispatchable electricity at that moment. Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, remarked that these developments demonstrate how solar energy is becoming an integral part of Ireland’s energy system, strengthening energy security through a growing supply of clean, homegrown electricity.
Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director of ESB Networks, emphasised that the milestone reflects the combined efforts of domestic solar panel adoption and large-scale renewable projects, supported by significant investment in the grid infrastructure. Since the commissioning of Ireland’s first grid-scale solar farm in April 2022, over 200,000 homes have installed solar panels, with more than 120,000 households benefiting from government grants. Support schemes such as the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), and Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) continue to promote solar uptake across all sectors, underpinning Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon future.
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