Enough wind energy to power 667,000 homes—roughly every household in Dublin, Westmeath, and Wicklow combined—was lost in the first half of 2026 as Ireland’s electrical grid struggled to keep pace with renewable energy growth, according to Wind Energy Ireland.
Grid Constraints Waste 15 Percent of Affordable Electricity
New analysis from Wind Energy Ireland, based on EirGrid figures, shows that significant volumes of renewable electricity generated by Irish wind farms could not be used because the electricity grid was not strong enough to carry it. Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs at Wind Energy Ireland, said that 15 percent of Ireland’s most affordable electricity was wasted during the first six months of the year due to transmission limitations.
“Every unit of renewable electricity we lose is a missed opportunity to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels and lower electricity costs for Irish consumers and businesses,” Moran said. He added that accelerated investment is needed in the electricity grid and energy storage to make full use of renewable power.
Record Wind Generation Lowers Wholesale Electricity Prices
Despite infrastructure bottlenecks, Irish wind farms set a new record last month, with generation up nearly 5 percent compared to the previous record in June 2025. Wind Energy Ireland reported that wind generation helped reverse three months of rising wholesale electricity prices in June, pushing the average price down by 6 percent to €135.52 per megawatt-hour (MWh).
When wind generation reached its highest levels last month, average wholesale prices dropped to €111.20 per MWh. That figure sits 37 percent lower than the €175.83 price recorded on days when Ireland relied more heavily on imported fossil fuels. Wind farms generated 985 gigawatt-hours of electricity in June, meeting 31 percent of total demand.
Did you know? Wind energy remains Ireland’s largest source of clean electricity, providing more than a third of the country’s power since the start of the year, despite ongoing transmission challenges.
EirGrid Transmission Upgrades and Dispatch Down Figures
Responding to the findings, EirGrid stated that it has made significant progress in integrating renewable electricity. The power system can now safely operate with up to 75 percent of its electricity coming from variable renewable sources like wind and solar at any one time, with ongoing work aiming to increase that threshold to 95 percent.
EirGrid described what it calls ‘Renewable dispatch down’ as an international challenge for power systems connecting variable generation. According to EirGrid figures, the system enabled 86.8 percent of wind energy generated to reach the power grid during the first half of 2026, with 13.2 percent dispatched down. For all renewables, including solar, EirGrid enabled 88.8 percent to reach the system while 11.2 percent was dispatched down.
To address these constraints, EirGrid is undertaking an ambitious transmission system upgrade programme backed by a €18.9 billion investment package provided by the Government and regulator over the next five years for EirGrid and ESB Networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is wind energy being wasted in Ireland?
Wind energy is lost when regional electricity grids lack the capacity to carry power from wind farms to homes and businesses, leading system operators to turn down generation.
How much wind energy was lost in early 2026?
According to Wind Energy Ireland, enough wind energy to power 667,000 homes was lost in the first half of 2026.
What is EirGrid doing to fix grid constraints?
EirGrid is undertaking a transmission upgrade programme funded by an €18.9 billion investment package from the Government and regulator to increase grid capacity and lift renewable integration limits to 95 percent.
How do wind farms impact wholesale electricity prices?
High wind generation drives down wholesale prices. In June, average wholesale prices dropped to €111.20 per MWh during peak wind generation periods, significantly lower than days reliant on imported fossil fuels.
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