The news that EirGrid, the national electric grid operator, had to rely on emergency power plants to boost electricity supplies twice this summer underlines vulnerabilities in Ireland’s energy security.
The first time the emergency plant was used was in June amid surging electricity demand during the heatwave. The second time came earlier this month as the eclipse momentarily caused the shutdown of solar farms.
The reality is that the grid is in a parlous state because of years of underinvestment. According to a report by Wind Energy Ireland, an industry lobby group, enough wind energy to power 667,000 homes was lost in the first six months of this year due to a lack of storage capacity. Fossil fuels accounted for 79.2 per cent of Ireland’s total energy requirements in 2025, of which 78.2 per cent was imported, one of the highest rates in the EU.
There are growing threats to Ireland’s energy security amid rising extreme weather patterns and geopolitical tensions.
RM Block
This country must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels if it is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below the legally mandated target by 2030.
The Government has committed to investing €3.5bn in upgrading energy infrastructure in the period 2026-2030, with €2bn of this earmarked for EirGrid.
There is a mixed record, at best, for completing infrastructure projects in Ireland. But there is no room for further delay. Ireland’s ability to meet its climate change targets and ensure there are adequate electricity supplies for both domestic users and the economy hinges on a sufficiently robust grid. Even if there is a successful pivot, with renewables becoming a much greater part of the energy mix, these recent events show there has to be a backup plan.
There has been much controversy surrounding the planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Shannon estuary, but as it stands, it is the best option currently available to the Government to ensure overall energy security in the future.
