This year, 34 percent of Ireland's energy came from wind

According to a new research, Wind Electricity has provided 34% of Ireland's energy so far this year, following months of record production.

According to Wind Energy Ireland's most recent statistics, it supplied 21% of all the nation's electricity in the previous month.

When compared to the same month last year, the demand satisfied by wind increased by a factor of two in July.

Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland, said the statistics demonstrate the company's "crucial" contribution to protecting customers from growing energy costs, even during months with lower wind energy generation.

Although July's results were lower than those in other months, he added that this was expected given the season.

Government's increased ambition of 7GW of offshore wind by end of 2030 is very welcome. Offshore wind and green hydrogen can be at the heart of energy an independent Ireland. Let's reform/properly resource our planning system to make this happen.
Read: https://t.co/ba5E6cMzPQ

— Wind Energy Ireland (@WindEnergyIRL) July 29, 2022

                                Source: Wind Energy Ireland/Twitter

What is encouraging to observe is that in July 2021, wind power has met twice the electricity demand of the country in July 2018.

Figures also demonstrate that wind energy continues to play a significant role in protecting customers from the harshest effects of rises in wholesale electricity costs even in months with lower output.

Despite lower levels of wind generation, Cunniffe claimed that even though wholesale electricity prices have increased significantly over the past month due to high fossil fuel costs, there is still almost €40 in difference between the cost per MWh on the windiest and least windy days, which are €256.66 and €295.58, respectively.

To ensure that projects are implemented fast, Cunniffe applauded the higher targets but cautioned that the planning system urgently needs to be overhauled.

"Our members have a pipeline of projects that is substantially more than 7GW," he said. To answer the government's call to action, we have the resources, the know-how, and the investment.

"However, to accomplish these commitments, our planning system needs urgent reform and adequate funding to ensure that the renewable energy projects required to reduce our carbon emissions and lower electricity costs can be implemented as rapidly as possible."