In a remarkable achievement, ESB Networks has successfully incorporated over 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar power into the electricity grid over the past two years, as revealed in the latest figures set to be disclosed on Monday. This substantial addition equates to powering approximately 400,000 homes during sunny periods, constituting over 18% of Ireland’s peak demand of 5.5GW for electricity.
Solar Power Mix
The comprehensive 1GW figure comprises 300 megawatts (MW) from microgeneration, predominantly contributed by homeowners with rooftop solar panels. Additionally, 200MW of solar power is utilized on-site without being exported to the grid. The mix also encompasses around 500MW from utility-scale solar connections, with 369MW originating from larger projects linked to the transmission system, overseen by EirGrid.
Rooftop Revolution
Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan, hailed the surge in solar power, especially the proliferation of households generating their electricity through solar panels, labeling it a “rooftop revolution.” Ryan highlighted the increasing prevalence of solar panels in towns and suburbs across the country, emphasizing the role of over 82,000 homes now equipped with solar panels.
Ireland’s Clean Energy Future
Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director of ESB Networks, celebrated the accomplishment, asserting that enabling the integration of 1,000MW of clean solar power into Ireland’s electricity network is a substantial collective success. Tarrant emphasized the positive impact, reducing the nation’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and advancing towards a cleaner electric future.
Future Solar Prospects
Conall Bolger, from the Irish Solar Energy Association, emphasized the critical role of solar electricity in meeting climate action targets. Bolger cited the rapid achievement of connecting 1GW within two years of Ireland’s inaugural solar farm activation as a testament to solar power’s genuine potential. He underlined the necessity of sustained support for the burgeoning pipeline of new solar farms, crucial for Ireland to achieve its ambitious target of 8GW of solar power by 2030.
This milestone underscores Ireland’s commitment to green energy policies and the significant strides made in the solar energy market, reflecting a positive trend in the nation’s energy market dynamics.
Source：http://www.irishtimes.com
