Wind energy to power 660,000 homes lost in six months

RTÉ NewsState / PublicCenter4 hr. ago

Ireland's wind farms generated enough electricity to power 667,000 homes in the first half of 2026, but much of this renewable energy could not be used due to insufficient grid capacity. Wind Energy Ireland reported that 15% of the most affordable electricity was wasted because the existing grid couldn't handle the increased production. Despite these challenges, wind generation hit a new monthly record, contributing 31% of the country's electricity demand. The surplus helped lower wholesale electricity prices by 6%, with prices dropping to €111.20 per MWh during peak wind periods. Wind Energy Ireland called for accelerated grid upgrades and immediate measures to improve the utilization of renewable energy.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the technical challenges facing Ireland's renewable energy sector, citing data from Wind Energy Ireland and EirGrid. It does not take a clear ideological stance on the issue, focusing instead on the factual implications of grid limitations and the economic/