Minister O’Brien highlights Ireland’s ‘remarkable progress on renewable electricity’ at Solar Ireland conference

• Solar is now the third highest supplier of indigenously generated electricity to the national grid
• Solar is now a key pillar of our electricity supply, from rooftop installations to utility-scale solar farms
• Just over 10 years ago there were 2 MW (Mega Watts) of solar in Ireland. Now there are over 2.5 GW (Giga Watts)

Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment Darragh O’Brien today highlighted the continued, remarkable growth being made in the deployment of solar energy across Ireland, and its contribution to a secure, sustainable, and affordable energy future for generations to come.

Speaking following today’s Solar Ireland conference in Dublin, the Minister said that

Ireland is seeing the benefits of sustained action to accelerate renewable electricity generation. Solar deployment is expanding at pace, alongside significant progress in wind energy.

Solar Ireland also published its ‘Scale of Solar’ report today, which underlines the solar sector’s growing role in strengthening energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and attracting investment across the country.

Commenting, Minister O’Brien said:

“Ireland is making remarkable progress in our renewable electricity acceleration. Across the country we are seeing renewable projects being delivered at scale, and communities participating in our energy transition. A rooftop revolution is underway, as households take up Government grant supports to install rooftop solar.

“We currently have over 8 GW of renewable electricity generation capacity connected to the network. To put that into perspective, we have added approximately 5 GW of new renewable electricity generation capacity in just ten years. That includes a doubling of our wind energy capacity, along with establishing a strong solar energy supply. Just over 10 years ago there were 2 MW (Mega Watts) of solar in Ireland. Now there are over 2.5 GW (Giga Watts).

“The ‘Scale of Solar’ report – published by Solar Ireland today – reflects how solar energy is now firmly established as a key pillar of our electricity supply, from rooftop installations to utility-scale solar farms. In a few short years solar has gone from a near zero contributor to become a major component of our electricity supply and is now the third highest supplier of indigenously generated electricity to the electricity grid.

“By reducing demand on the grid during daylight hours, solar energy helps to alleviate demands from other energy sources at key times – this supports a more resilient energy system. Evidence shows that both rooftop and utility-scale solar generation are increasingly displacing gas generation during midday periods, particularly at this time of year when solar is at its strongest. This will ultimately help to lower electricity costs for households and businesses.”

The Government has introduced a range of measures to support solar deployment, including the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), and the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). These schemes are helping households, businesses, farms, and communities to participate in Ireland’s renewable electricity transition.

The Minister added:

“The successful solar growth in Ireland has been underpinned by clear Government policy and targeted support schemes and measures. Through initiatives such as the solar PV grant, and our various renewable electricity support schemes, solar deployment is supported at every scale. We are committed to funding the Solar PV grant for the lifetime of this Government, up until 2030.

“The increasing affordability challenges – arising out of recent global events – underline the importance of continuing and accelerating the energy transition. Every megawatt of renewable electricity added to our system helps reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels; this will stabilise prices in the long term and ensure a secure and affordable supply of indigenously produced electricity for Irish households and businesses.

“A diversified renewable electricity mix helps ensure a more stable and reliable electricity supply. Wind and solar complement each other by generating electricity at different times, under different weather conditions.”

The next onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction, RESS 6, is due to commence later this year. It is expected to see strong competition and downward pressure on prices.