Ireland reached a significant milestone in the renewable energy transition last week according to EirGrid, with a new peak of more than 1GW of electricity provided by grid-scale solar power for the first time. 
 
For comparison to the same time last year, a peak of about 750MW was recorded in March 2025, and again in May 2025 with a 755MW peak.  

Cathal Marley, EirGrid’s chief executive.
 
EirGrid balances supply and demand every minute of the day, while also planning for Ireland’s long-term electricity needs. 
 
It is estimated that 1GW is enough to power about 500,000 customers, and the new record is attributed to the growing number of large (grid-scale) solar farms connected to the power system.   

Ambitious programme of work 

This comes as EirGrid progresses the most ambitious programme of work ever undertaken on the transmission system in Ireland, with a €18.9bn investment package having recently been provided by the regulator and Government for the national electricity grid and network. 

It says that this investment will be critical to bring more renewable power, including wind and solar, onto the system.  
 
The delivery of a significant amount of grid infrastructure over the coming years is required to unlock greater energy independence and security, supporting national and regional economic growth and a resilient society, according to EirGrid.  
 
The peak of 1GW (1021MW) was set for the first time on Monday, April 20, at 12.19pm. Another record of 1087MW was then set on Friday, April 24, at 12.08pm followed by a record peak of 1133MW on Saturday, April 25, at 2.14pm. 
 
There have been a number of records on the system in recent months and across last summer, with the most recent record before the 1GW peak of 983MW set on 21 March.  
 
Given Ireland’s climate and available generation, onshore wind energy remains the largest contributor to renewable power in Ireland. Between February 2025 and January 2026, 3.1% of demand was met by grid scale solar, with 33.2% met by onshore wind.  
 
Looking over the course of a year, EirGrid’s metred data shows the percentage of electricity demand met by grid-scale solar has continued to grow. In 2023, the average was 1.1%, growing to 2% in 2024 and 3.1% by 2025.  
 
The new record observed by EirGrid refers to power generated and brought onto the transmission system from grid-scale solar farms at a moment in time, but there has also been a significant increase in the amount of rooftop (embedded) solar in Ireland.  
 
The integration of renewables on the system is an important lever to support the electrification of the economy and society, supporting the transport sector and housing, including, for example, the charging of electric vehicles.   

'Increasingly significant role in powering homes' 

Darragh O’Brien, climate minister, said: “Over the coming years, wind and solar will play an increasingly significant role in powering homes, businesses and farms across the country.  This is key to reducing our reliance on imported and volatile fossil fuels and to reducing prices for electricity customers. 
 
“Further progress will be facilitated by the delivery of renewables and grid infrastructure, underscored by Government commitment and by the PR6 grid investment programme that will support Ireland’s economy and society.” 
 
Cathal Marley, EirGrid’s chief executive, added: “The 1GW milestone recorded by the National Control Centre represents continued progress in integrating renewable energy onto the system, and managing the very complex and technical task of balancing different forms of renewable and conventional generation on the system to ensure we meet national demand.  
 
“We’re committed to facilitating continued growth through the delivery of electricity infrastructure. This is essential to supporting the delivery of government policy and targets in key areas such as housing, climate, enterprise, digitalisation and industry, benefiting our communities and wider society.”