Written by: Briain Kelly
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Almost half of Ireland’s electricity came from renewable energy sources in February, including wind power breaking new records.
Eirgird data shows that 48% of Ireland’s electricity was generated by wind, solar, hydro, or biomass renewable sources last month.
The lion’s share of this came from wind power (41.1%), with solar power contributing another 1.2%, and another 5.8% from hydro and biomass.
Total generation of wind amounted to 1,245 GWh (Gigawatt hours). EirGrid data also shows that a new record peak for wind-powered electricity in Ireland was set last month.
Meanwhile, gas generation accounted for 37% of all electricity used in February and 14% was imported via interconnection.
Highest Ever Wind Power Generation
Wind power also set a new peak production record of 3,898 MW shortly before 6pm on Saturday, February 14.
This surpasses the previous record set in the same month last year when on February 13, when wind generation reached 3,884 MW.
While 1.2% for utility scale solar power is not a huge amount in and of itself, it does not account for the growing body of microgeneration capacity on homes and businesses.
Charlie McGee, EirGrid’s System Operational Manager said, “February saw the biggest contribution of renewable energy on the electricity grid since the same month last year.
“This is significant as we continue our work making the power system more sustainable for the future and increasing the amount of renewable energy that powers Ireland’s electricity grid.”
Record Demand for Electricity
Mr McGee also noted that 2026 has seen the demand for electricity during winter continue to grow.
“The expected trend of increased demand on the system in the winter months continued through February. Notably, for the second month in a row, we again saw a record set for peak demand on a Saturday.”
An all time record for peak electricity demand was also set on Saturday, February 14, when demand for electricity reached 5408 MW at 6:10pm.
This is only a month after a previous record for peak demand of 5,297 was set on January 3.
Meanwhile, gas generation accounted for 37% of all electricity used in February and 14% was imported via interconnection.
