Minister O’Brien
Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Ireland is accelerating renewables, strengthening its electricity network and expanding European interconnection to build a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy system.
The lasting way out of fossil fuel dependency and high energy costs is to shift electricity generation to renewable sources, electrify our economy rapidly and strengthen interconnection with Europe. This Government is making progress across all three areas.
Strengthening the grid and European connections
We are prioritising renewable electricity and reforming our planning to make clean energy projects easier to deliver. Under Price Review 6, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) approved up to €18.9 billion of investment in the electricity system by EirGrid and ESB Networks.
We already have interconnectors with Britain, and construction is underway on the Celtic Interconnector to France, which is due to be commissioned in 2028.
My ambition is clear: a cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy future for Ireland
Renewable generation gathers pace
Ireland now regularly generates 40–50% of its electricity from renewables. The challenging, achievable target is 80%. Since 2015, renewable electricity’s share has more than doubled, rising from 19% to over 40% in 2025.
In March, Ireland reached 8 GW of renewable generation connected to the electricity system, including more than 5 GW of onshore wind. When wind generation is high, average wholesale electricity prices can fall significantly; strong output in February and March helped reduce the impact of wholesale price increases.
Solar is also transforming the system. Ireland’s capacity rose from just 2 MW in 2015 to 3 GW by August, more than a thousandfold increase. Solar is now the third-largest source of indigenously generated electricity supplied to the national grid.
Powering homes and strengthening energy security
A rooftop solar revolution is underway. More than 120,000 homes have received Solar PV grants, and funding for the scheme will remain in place for the lifetime of this Government, up to 2030. Free solar panels have also been provided to 2,000 schools. Through microgeneration, households can sell excess electricity back to the grid.
The affordability challenges of recent years demonstrate why we must accelerate the transition. Every megawatt of renewable electricity reduces our dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthens our energy security and helps create a more stable energy system.
My ambition is clear: a cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy future for Ireland. By investing in renewables, strengthening our grid, electrifying our economy and connecting with Europe, we can build an energy system that works for households, businesses and future generations.
