The electricity sectors of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are integrated and supply 2.5 million customers from a combination of coal, peat, natural gas, wind and hydropower. In 2022, 34 TWh were generated.[1] In 2018 natural gas produced 51.8%, while wind turbines generated 28.1%, coal 7%, and peat 6.8% of Ireland's average electricity demand.[2] In 2020 wind turbines generated 36.3% of Ireland's electrical demand, one of the highest wind power proportions in the world.[3] While the United Kingdom was one of the first countries in the world to deploy commercial nuclear power plants, the island of Ireland has never had a nuclear power plant built on either side of the Irish border. Nuclear power in Ireland was discussed in the 1960s and 1970s but ultimately never phased in, with legislation now in place explicitly forbidding its introduction.
The electricity sector in Ireland previously operated as two separate markets: Northern Ireland operated as part of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland operated its own separate market. On 1 November 2007 the two Transmission System Operators (System Operator Northern Ireland and EirGrid) established the Single Electricity Market for the island of Ireland. This market has created "a gross mandatory pool market, into which all electricity generated on or imported onto the island of Ireland must be sold, and from which all wholesale electricity for consumption on or export from the island of Ireland must be purchased". According to the Electricity Association of Ireland, in 2013 the Single Electricity Market had approximately 2.5 million customers; 1.8 million in the Republic and 0.7 million in Northern Ireland.[5] The effect of Brexit on the Single Electricity Market has yet to be defined.
Ireland and Northern Ireland form a regional group of the Europe-wide ENTSO-E organisation. The networks are not yet interconnected with the Continental Europe grid, but have interconnection with the British network through the Moyle Interconnector and the East–West Interconnector. In 2014, the island had an electricity interconnection level (international transmission capacity relative to production capacity) of 9%, below the recommended 10% level.[6]
Electricity in the Republic of Ireland
Figure 2: Electricity generated by fuel type in the Republic of Ireland in million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), Graph source:SEAI Electricity in Ireland Report, 2019 Datasource: Eirgrid
Electricity generators in the Republic of Ireland are ESB, SSE, Synergen (70% ESB), Edenderry Power, Endesa-Ireland and Huntstown (Viridian). ESB owns the transmission and distribution networks.
The transmission system operator is EirGrid plc, which assumed the role from ESB Networks on 1 July 2006. EirGrid ensures the safe, secure and economic operation of the high voltage electricity grid. EirGrid is owned by the Irish State and is established as a result of a government decision to create an independent organisation to carry out the transmission system operator function, in order to assist the liberalisation of Ireland's electricity industry and the development of a competitive market.
The electricity industry is regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities which also regulates the natural gas market. The functions and duties of the commission have been altered and expanded significantly by legislation transposing EU directives into Irish law.
Renewable energy
Wind turbines on County Leitrim's Corrie MountainIreland renewable electricity production by source
Under the original 2009 Renewable Energy Directive Ireland had set a target of producing 16% of all its energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2020 but that has been updated by a second Renewable Energy Directive whose targets are 32% by 2030. Between 2005 and 2014 the percentage of energy from renewable energy sources grew from just 3.1% to 8.6% of total final consumption. By 2020 the overall renewable energy share was 13.5%, short of its Renewable Energy Drive target of 16%.[7] Renewable electricity accounted for 69% of all renewable energy used in 2020, up from two thirds (66.8%) in 2019.[7]
The country has a large and growing installed wind power capacity at 4,405 MW by the end of 2021 producing 31% of all its electricity needs in that year.[8]In contrast in 2020 it had the second lowest installation of solar PV power in the EU after Latvia at just 92.8 MW of installed capacity.[9]
Wind energy
Arklow Bank
Altagowlan
Anarget
Astellas
Ballincollig Hill
Ballinlough/Ikerrin
Ballinveny
Ballybane
Ballymartin
Ballywater
Bawnmore
Barnesmore
Beal Hill
Beallough
Beam Hill
Beenageeha
Bellacorick
Bindoo
Black Banks
Boggeragh
Booltiagh
Burtonport
Caherdowney
Caranne Hill
\Cark
Carnsore
Carrigcannon
Carrig
Carrons
Castledockrell
Clydaghroe
Coomacheo 1
Coomacheo 2
Coomatallin
Cornacahan
Corneen
Corry Mountain
Crocane
Crockahenny
Cronalaght
Cronelea
Cronelea Upper
Cuillalea
Culliagh
Curragh, Co Cork
Curraghgraigue
Derrybrien
Derrynadivva
Dromada
Drumlough
Drybridge/Dunmore
Dundalk
Dunmore
Flughland
Gartnaneane
Geevagh
Glackmore
Glenough
Gortahaile
Grouse Lodge
Garracummer
Gneeves
Greenoge
Inverin
Kealkill
Kilgarvan
Kilgarvan Extension
Killybegs
Kilronan
Kilvinane
Kingsmountain
Knockastanna
Knockawarriga
Lacka Cross
Lackan
Lahanaght Hill
Largan Hill
Lenanavea
Lisheen
Loughderryduff
Lurganboy
Mace Upper
Meenachullalan
Meenadreen and Meentycat
Meenanilta
Glanlee Midas
Mienvee
Milane Hill
Moanmore
Moneenatieve
Mount Eagle
Mount Lucas
Mountain Lodge
Mullananalt
Muingnaminnane
Pallas
Raheen Barr
Rahora
Rathmooney
Reenascreena
Richfield
Seltanaveeny
Shannagh
Sheeragh
Skehanagh
Skrine
Snugborough
Sonnagh Old
Sorne Hill
Spion Kop
Slieveragh
Taurbeg
Tournafulla
Tullynamoyle
Tursillagh
Slieve Rushen
Lendrum's Bridge
Callagheen
Hunter's Hill
Slieve Divena
Tappaghan Mountain
Lough Hill
Balloo Wood
Brett Martin
Bessy Bell
Bin Mountain
Bessy Bell
Wolf Bog
Owenreagh
Elliot's Hill
Altahullion
Rigged Hill
Corkey
Gruig
Garves Mountain
Ulster University
Locations of wind farms on and around the island of Ireland
As of 2021[update] the island of Ireland has 5,585 megawatt and the Republic of Ireland has 4,309 MW of installed wind powernameplate capacity, the third highest per capita in the world.[10]
In 2020 wind turbines generated 36.3% of Ireland's electrical demand, one of the highest wind power penetrations in the world.[11][12]
Ireland has over 300 wind farms (nearly 400 all-island);[10][13] mostly onshore, with only the 25 MW Arklow Bank Wind Park situated offshore as of 2020. This is unlike Germany and Great Britain two other European countries with high wind power penetration whose territorial waters (particularly the German Bight and waters off the coast of Scotland) are in extensive and growing use for offshore wind power.
Ireland's instantaneous wind power generation fluctuates between near zero and nearly 4,500 MW[10] due to weather,[14] with an average capacity factor of 32.3% in 2015.[15]
Irish wind power generation is higher during winter and lower in the summer.[16] The overall capacity factor of Irish wind farms is high compared to the global average of onshore wind farms which usually ranges around 20% but significantly lower than that of offshore wind farms which often achieve capacity factors around 50%.
Ireland uses an EU industry subsidy known as the Public Service Obligation to support development of wind and other domestic power generation,[17] currently levied at €72 per year per household.[18]
In the 2016/17 period, €308 million raised through this levy was planned to be granted to supporting domestic renewable energy schemes. For comparison €120.90 million was planned to be granted to (non renewable) peat generation.[19]
Concerns over energy security (Ireland lacks significant onshore fossil fuel resources other than peat, and has extensive wind resources), climate change mitigation policies, and compliance with EU Directives for market liberalisation, have all shaped wind power development in Ireland
Electricity Grid
The high-voltage Irish electricity transmission grid comprises 6,800 km of power lines and operates at 400 kV, 220 kV and 110 kV.[20] Substations provide entry points to, and exits from, the transmission grid. Entry points include thermal and hydro-electric power stations, major wind farms, and inter-connectors from other countries and regions. Exit points are to lower voltage (220 kV, 110 kV, and 38 kV) transmission and distribution substations.
EirGrid is the Transmission System Operator (TSO), and ESB Networks is the Transmission Asset Owner (TAO).[20]
There are two 400 kV lines. One is from Moneypoint power station to Woodland substation where there is a connection to the 400 kV DC East-West Interconnector. The Oldstreet 400 kV substation is an intermediate substation on this line. The second line is from Moneypoint power station to Dunstown 400 kV substation.[21]
There are 220 kV substations at:
Aghada power station, Arklow, Arva, Ballyvouskill, Ballynahulla, Belcamp, Carrickmines, Cashla, Clashavoon, Clonee, Corduff, Cowcross, Cullenagh, Dunstown, Finglas, Flagford, Glanagow power station, Gorman, Great Island power station, Huntstown power station, Kellistown, Kilpaddoge, Killonan, Knockraha, Killonan, Lodgewood, Louth (and a connection to the 275 kV Northern Ireland grid), Maynooth, Moneypoint power station, Prospect, Raffee, Shannonbridge, Srananagh, Tarbert power station, Turlough Hill, and West Dublin.[21]
Ireland has several grid energy storage facilities with a combined 650 MW power, of which some are bidding into Ireland's DS3 grid services market for frequency control.[22][23]
The single electricity market means that Northern Ireland Electricity carries electricity on its network in exchange for a regulated charge to the electricity supply company. As of September 2011, domestic customers in Northern Ireland are able to buy electricity from Electric Ireland, Power NI, Airtricity, Click Energy or Budget Energy. Industrial and commercial customers are able to choose from several other electricity suppliers.
The transmission system operator is System Operator Northern Ireland, which ensures the safe, secure and economic operation of the high voltage electricity grid. Its counterpart in the Republic of Ireland is EirGrid. Both of these are owned by EirGrid plc which also (through a joint partnership) acts as the single energy market operator, i.e., runs the new all-island wholesale market for electricity.[32]
Electricity Regulation
The electricity industry in Northern Ireland is regulated by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation.[33] The authority is an independent public body established to oversee and regulate the electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland. The Authority is a non-ministerial government department responsible for promoting the short and long term interests of consumers. It does not make policy, but ensures that the energy and water utility industries are regulated and developed within ministerial policies. It is governed by a board of directors and is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly.[33]
History
The office of Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland was established in 1992 in association with the privatisation of electricity supplies in Northern Ireland.[34] The Director General was appointed by the Department of Economic Development to regulate the electricity industry.[35] Statutory duties included ensuring that all reasonable demands for electricity were satisfied; that licence holders were able to finance their activities; to promote competition in the generation and supply of electricity; to protect the interests of consumers of electricity in terms of price and continuity of supply; to promote efficiency and economy; to promote research and development; to protect the public from danger; and to secure the health and safety of persons employed in the generation, transmission or supply of electricity.[36]
The regulatory system was reformed in 2003 to combine the regulation of electricity and natural gas into a single energy regulator. The Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation was established and the offices of Director General of Gas for Northern Ireland and Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland were abolished.[37] The posts of Chief Executive and Chair of the Energy Regulator were split in 2006.
In April 2007 the regulatory system for utilities was further reformed to encompass the water supply and sewage industries.[38] The Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation became the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation. The board of directors is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organisation. The board comprises a non-executive chairman, four non-executive members and the chief executive. The key functional areas in the organisation are Network Operations, Wholesale, Retail and Consumer Protection, and Corporate Affairs.[39]
Today's demand and production
