What Percentage of Ireland's Energy Is Renewable?
According to the CRU's 2023 fuel mix disclosure, 57.6% of the electricity supplied by Irish energy providers came from renewable energy sources in 2022 — up from 55.0% the previous year. Since 2008, renewable energy share has increased nearly fivefold from 11% to 57.6%.
The fuel mix breakdown shows: 55.90% renewable, 33.60% gas, 6.80% coal, 2.70% oil, 1% other.
All Ireland Fuel Mix 2022
Source: CRU Fuel Mix Disclosure and CO2 Emissions 2022, pg. 24.
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What Are the Renewable Energy Companies in Ireland?
Four suppliers offer 100% renewable electricity (CRU verified): Energia, SSE Airtricity, Pinergy, Flogas
Three additional providers claim 100% renewable (unverified by CRU): Ecopower, Community Power, Waterpower
| Supplier | Renewable Percentage |
|---|---|
| Ecopower* | 100% |
| Energia | 100% |
| Flogas | 100% |
| Pinergy | 100% |
| SSE Airtricity | 100% |
| Electric Ireland | 80.72% |
| Community Power* | 42.93% |
| Bord Gais | 30.38% |
| PrePayPower | 25.31% |
| Waterpower* | 24.27% |
| Yuno Energy | 21.3% |
What Is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy comes from a source that is not depleted when used. It differs from green energy, which exclusively uses natural sources.
Natural renewable sources include: Wind, Water, Wave energy, Solar, Hydroelectric, Geothermal
Advantages
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
- Decreases fossil fuel dependency
- Creates local jobs
- Provides reliable energy
- Improves air quality
Disadvantages
- Low energy output per technology type
- Requires significant upfront investment
- Energy must be used immediately or stored
- Requires large land areas
- Production machinery still causes pollution
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Which Renewable Energy Sources Are Used in Ireland?
In Ireland, the types of renewable energy sources include biofuels, biomass, geothermal, hydro, solar, tidal, water, wave, wind, and wood. Let's have a more in-depth look at these clean energy sources below.
1. Biofuels
Converted from biomass into liquid energy (ethanol, biodiesel). Ireland's Biofuels Obligation Scheme requires 11.11% of all motor fuels on the market to contain ethanol or biodiesel as of March 2019.
2. Biomass
Fuel developed from organic materials, such as scrap wood, crops, manure, making it carbon-neutral. Wood pellet stoves and boilers have gained popularity.
3. Geothermal
Heat pumps draw thermal energy from ground to meet up to 75% of home heating and hot water requirements. Underground temperatures remain constant at approximately 10°C year-round.
4. Hydroelectric
Flowing water energy captured through dams or turbines. Ardnacrusha currently provides around 2% of Ireland's electricity needs (opened 1929 on River Shannon).
5. Solar Energy
Ireland receives 70% of the sunlight that other sunnier places get, for example, Madrid, making solar panels viable despite misconceptions. Government grants available through SEAI.
6. Tidal/Wave
Tidal power requires at least five metres difference between low-tide water levels and high-tide levels. Wave energy converters operate off Ireland's west coast.
7. Wind Power
Over 400 wind farms in the Republic of Ireland generated 34% of the electricity needed in 2024. Government plans approximately 7-10 off-shore wind farms by 2030.
Is Ireland Meeting Its Renewable Energy Targets for 2030?
Ireland targets a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. According to the EPA, emissions decreased almost 6.8% from the previous year in 2023, marking lowest levels in nearly three decades.
However, Ireland remains the second-largest producer of greenhouse gases in the EU per capita, behind only Luxembourg.
Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the EU for 2022
Source: Statista
The Future of Renewable Energy in Ireland
Ireland targets 80% of total energy sourced from renewables by 2030 — requiring an increase of over 20% in the next 6 years.
Government commitments:
- Continued wind energy expansion
- SEAI home improvement grant scheme expansion
- Electric vehicle and home charging station grants
- Celtic Interconnector completion
- Microgeneration grants for residential renewable energy