Understanding green energy

Solar energy is a key clean energy source for Irish homes and businesses. The National Mitigation Plan outlines concrete pathways towards Irish decarbonisation, with solar energy cited as one of our most viable options.

Advances in photovoltaic technology have reduced installation costs of solar panels, making solar more affordable than ever before as well as delivering long-term savings.

The adoption of solar technology in Ireland is intended to diversify the country’s deployment of green energy portfolios. The current deployment target period spans a nine-year period between 2021 and 2030, with a key focus on cost efficiency and effectiveness. 

Solar is convenient and adaptable, perfectly suited to Ireland’s green energy drive, which you can read about in more detail in our comprehensive solar energy guide.

The Irish government supports solar growth through the Climate Action Plan, providing grant and funding incentives like the SEAI's offer of €900 per kWp up to 2kWp. This makes solar energy an attractive option for Irish consumers.

*Figures at time of publishing, subject to change

Wind energy is another highly compatible green option for Ireland, accounting for approximately 86% of the country’s renewable energy generation in 2023. Ireland holds the second-largest share of wind energy in the EU, behind Denmark. However, further scaling of wind energy is challenged by the nation's poorly interconnected electricity grid.

In 2023, wind farms provided 35% of the electricity for Ireland and Northern Ireland, totally a record-breaking 13,725 gigawatt-hours (GWh). This was the highest annual amount of wind power generated by Irish wind farms to date, equating to the electricity consumption of more than 3 million Irish households.

With its potential steadily increasing, wind energy is poised to be a sustainable long-term solution for Irish consumers. Continued investment and improvements in grid infrastructure are essential to maximize this potential.

Geothermal energy harnesses heat from below the earth's surface to generate electricity. This heat can be sourced from shallow ground, hot water reservoirs, or deeper geothermal reservoirs of extremely high temperatures. However, it is location-dependent, meaning it is most effective in regions with high geothermal activity, such as near tectonic plate boundaries.

Geothermal power plants are used to harness the massive energy below our feet to generate electricity. Although Ireland currently has no geothermal plants, government funding has been approved for three new facilities. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal plants produce power at a constant rate, unaffected by weather conditions.

Geothermal heat pump systems can be used for both home and business heating, offering a diverse and sustainable energy option.

Geothermal energy possesses the capability to be part of the commercial utility energy solution in Ireland on a large scale and can play a crucial role in offering a more diverse range of sustainable options for homeowners.

The generation of electricity from water is a technique used in different regions throughout Ireland with Ardnacrusha, perhaps the best known among them, accounting for 2 percent of our domestic energy production alone.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proven through in-depth field studies that the country has great potential for hydropower, identifying various hydrometric gauges, rivers, coastal water bodies, lakes, streams, transitional water bodies, and groundwater bodies that are ripe for hydro power delivery potential. 

However, hydropower’s total contribution to Ireland's total energy mix is currently less than 3 percent due to the increasing deployment of wind and solar energy.

Biomass energy utilises organic materials to produce heat, electricity, and transportation fuels. Historically, wood has been used in in residential heating and continues to be used in industries (like sawmilling) for drying and processing.

Solid biomass is co-fired with peat in some existing power plants and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Biomass boilers and solid fuel stoves support the growth of biomass energy, offering a renewable and sustainable alternative.

Biomass has significant potential in Ireland. With government support, biomass could reduce fossil fuel reliance and help achieve climate goals.

Tidal energy harnesses the kinetic energy of water movements caused by tides to generate electricity. This renewable energy source can be captured using Tidal Stream or Tidal Barrage technologies.

According to the national Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, several key areas along the Irish coastline are ideal for commercial tidal energy deployment: the East coast, the North West coast, and Shannon Estuary. These regions have been evaluated to possess a combined potential of 3000MW of tidal energy. While this constitutes a smaller segment of Ireland’s renewable energy portfolio, it presents a significant investment opportunity and expands the range of sustainable energy choices for consumers.

Although wave energy holds promise for Ireland’s decarbonised electricity system, its widespread adoption faces challenges related to cost competitiveness that need to be addressed.

The use of green energy offers environmental sustainability. Unlike fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gas emissions, green energy is a clean energy resource. The more we deploy renewable energy sources in our energy mix, the better for our environment. 

Ireland has its own role to play in combating climate change, therefore, we need to generate as much renewable energy as possible. Utilising renewable energy sources will substantially reduce our carbon footprint and boost our climate’s chances of long-term prosperity.

Fossil fuels are at the risk of exhaustion, but renewable energy resources are naturally replenished. Shifting to green energy provides energy security for homes, businesses, and industries. Also, generating your own energy offers reliability and freedom, negating the need to look elsewhere for a steady power supply.

Power interruptions and outages have become common for the people dependent on main grids; but generating your own green energy ensures you control energy reliability. You can easily schedule your own maintenance periods and never have to worry about a blackout, meaning it pays in more ways than one to go green once and for all.

Investing in green energy infrastructure and upgrading your home’s efficiency with solar panels or wind turbines, can lead to long-term financial stability. Homeowners and businesses can save money on energy bills by generating your own solar energy, reducing reliance on fluctuating energy prices from traditional utilities.