EirGrid statement on renewable integration and dispatch down

EirGrid has made significant progress in integrating renewable electricity, with the power system now able to safely operate with up to 75% of electricity coming from variable renewable sources such as wind and solar at any one time. Work is underway to increase this to 95%.

Renewable dispatch down is a challenge faced by power systems internationally, particularly as more variable renewable generation connects to the grid, as is the case in Ireland.

In the first half of 2026, EirGrid enabled 86.8% of wind energy generated to be brought onto the power system in Ireland, with 13.2% dispatched down. Overall, EirGrid enabled 88.8% of renewables (including solar and wind) to be brought onto the system during this period, with 11.2% dispatched down. See a breakdown of these figures here.

EirGrid continues to make progress bringing more renewable energy onto the system. We reached a significant milestone in the renewable energy transition in April, with a new peak of over 1 GW (gigawatt) of electricity provided by grid-scale solar power for the first time. There have been a number of subsequent records since then. 

A new record for wind generation was set in February, reaching 3.89 GW. For context, it is estimated that 1 GW is enough to power around 500,000 customers.

As more renewable electricity connects to the system, some renewable generation may need to be turned down at certain times when available renewable generation cannot be fully accommodated due to surplus generation, system-wide security requirements, or local network constraints. For example, local constraints can occur in areas where there are works taking place to upgrade the electricity system.

To increase the capacity of the electricity grid and further increase the integration of renewable energy, EirGrid is undertaking the most ambitious programme of work ever undertaken on the transmission system. This programme of work around the country includes connecting significant volumes of offshore and onshore wind, solar and conventional generation, while also reinforcing the grid to enable this power to reach demand customers throughout the country. This work will be supported by the Price Review 6 Determination, the approval for EirGrid’s planned investment to strengthen and build out the electricity grid over the next 5 years (2026-2030). The Government and regulator have provided an investment package of 18.9 billion euro to EirGrid and ESB Networks over the next five years to deliver this infrastructure across the country.

In addition to infrastructure delivery, progress is being made to address this issue:

Later this year, EirGrid will publish a Renewable Dispatch Down Action Plan, which will set out a broad programme of work underway across EirGrid to help reduce renewable dispatch down where possible. This will follow significant engagement with industry and stakeholders through a joint Dispatch Down working group.