Solar energy generation increases nearly 60% over summer months as August sets new records

New provisional data from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, shows that almost one third (29%) of electricity came from renewable sources in August.¹

Solar power made up 7.7% of the month’s fuel mix and follows records being set for the contribution of solar power this summer with a high of 9.4% in July and 8.2% in June.²

In summer 2025 solar power contributed 5.3% to the fuel mix in June, 5.8% in July and 5% in August, a combined total of 439 GWh across the three months. This compares to 692 GWh for the same months in summer 2026, an increase of 58%. 

This August also saw Ireland record two new peaks for electricity provided by grid-scale solar power. On Tuesday 11 August at 12.41pm a solar peak of 1.25 GW was recorded, and then 1.3 GW was recorded on Monday 24 August at 11.43am. 
The record previous to these was set in May at 1.22 GW and followed Ireland reaching the significant milestone of over 1 GW of electricity provided by grid-scale solar power for the first time in April.  

Contributing 18% of the overall fuel mix in August, wind energy made up the most significant proportion of renewable energy. Total generation of wind amounted to 498 GWh (Gigawatt hours). 

Elsewhere, gas generation accounted for 42% of all electricity used and 26% was imported via interconnection.  

The overall electricity system demand stood at 2,796 GWh in August, compared to 2,744 GWh in July.³ 

EirGrid’s Director of System Operations, Diarmaid Gillespie, said:  
“Spring and summer 2026 has been a significant time for the contribution of solar powered energy in Ireland.  

“Notably in April we reached the milestone of over 1 GW of electricity provided by grid-scale solar power for the first time. This record has since been surpassed a number of times over the last months and most recently on 24 August with a peak of 1.3 GW.  

“These milestones show how important solar power has become in Ireland as a source of renewable energy as well as the progress that we are making towards a more sustainable electricity grid. 

"As we head into the autumn and the days get shorter, solar generation will contribute less to the fuel mix. However it is still expected to provide support to the power system during day light hours, even in the depths of winter."

About the Data  
The data is based on 15-minute SCADA readings (MW). The data referenced above is Ireland-only.   
Data is provisional and unmetered data, based on real-time information.   
1 Average Fuel Mix is a representation of the System Generation fuel mix and net imports across the power system. The “Renewables” category includes wind, solar, hydro and biomass sources. It excludes some non-centrally monitored generation (e.g. small-scale combined heat and power and microgeneration).   
2 Not including rooftop (embedded) solar.   
3 System demand represents the electricity production required to meet national electricity consumption, including system losses, but net of generators' requirements.