Wind farms generated record levels of power last month

Kerry provided more wind generated power than any other county last month, followed by Cork and Tipperary. The top three counties generated enough electricity to meet nearly a third of Ireland’s total electricity demand. Picture: Patrick Browne

Wind farms generated a record level of power in Ireland last month and activity is expected to rise further as long-awaited planning legislation is set to be introduced this year.

Figures published by industry body Wind Energy Ireland showed Irish wind farms generated 1,541 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of power in March, outperforming the previous record of 1,392 GWh set in in the same month four years ago.

Wind energy provided 43% of Ireland’s electricity in last month while the report also showed the average wholesale price of electricity in March was €88.67, down 40% from €145.25 compared to the same month a year earlier.

“The quicker we can build wind farms, the sooner we can help to bring down the cost of electricity and support struggling electricity consumers,” said Wind Energy Ireland director of external affairs Justin Moran.

The organisations said it is hopeful that the new Planning and Development Bill will be enacted this year which “will help to modernise the Irish planning system and ensure that planning applications are thoroughly, but quickly, examined.” 

Planning backlogs have been a major obstacle for wind farm developers in recent years, stymying growth in the renewable energy sector.

Meanwhile, Kerry provided more wind generated power than any other county last month, followed by Cork and Tipperary. The top three counties generated enough electricity to meet nearly a third of Ireland’s total electricity demand.

“Irish wind farms, and particularly those in Kerry, are playing an enormous part in reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions by over 4 million tonnes a year and creating significant opportunities in job creation and funding for rural communities,” said Mr Moran.