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Solar power reached a new monthly record in Ireland in July, with grid-scale solar accounting for 9.4% of the country’s electricity fuel mix, according to provisional data from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid.
The figure marks an increase from 8.2% in June and 7.8% in May, highlighting the growing contribution of solar generation to Ireland’s electricity system.
Overall, renewable sources accounted for 32% of electricity in July, slightly below the 33% recorded in the same month last year.
Wind remains the largest renewable source
Wind energy provided 22% of the total electricity generated during July, with generation reaching 614 GWh.
Gas remained the largest source in the electricity mix, accounting for 43% of all electricity used during the month. A further 24% of electricity was supplied through interconnection imports.
Total electricity system demand reached 2,744 GWh in July, up from 2,676 GWh in June.
Grid operating with up to 75% variable renewables
EirGrid said the Irish power system can now safely operate with up to 75% of electricity coming from variable renewable sources such as wind and solar at any one time.
Work is underway to increase that capability to 95%, as EirGrid continues to integrate higher levels of renewable electricity into the system.
The grid operator balances electricity supply and demand every minute from its National Control Centre while also planning for Ireland’s long-term electricity requirements.
Solar milestone follows strong first half
Diarmaid Gillespie, EirGrid’s Director of System Operations, said July represented another record month for solar power and demonstrated its increasing importance as a renewable energy source in Ireland.
He also pointed to several milestones recorded during the first half of the year. These included a new record for wind generation in February and, in April, the first time grid-scale solar power provided more than 1 GW of electricity.
The July figures therefore add another milestone to Ireland’s recent progress in integrating renewable generation into its electricity system.