The amount of electricity produced by wind hit a new record for March last month, new data shows.
1,541GWh of power was generated by wind farms here during the month.
Previously, the record for March was 1,392, with this set in March 2020.
This meant that wind energy was responsible for providing 43% of the country’s total electricity during the period.
The bumper level of wind production came as the wholesale price of electricity dropped to €88.67, down 40% from €145.25 in March of last year.
“The quicker we can build wind farms, the sooner we can help to bring down the cost of electricity and support struggling electricity consumers,” said Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs, Wind Energy Ireland.
“We hope to see the new Planning and Development Bill enacted this year which will help to modernise the Irish planning system and ensure that planning applications are thoroughly, but quickly, examined.”
The data also shows that the county where the most power was produced by wind during the month was Kerry.
It generated 187 GWh, with Cork producing 163 GWh and Tipperary 106 GWh.
Collectively, they generated enough electricity to meet nearly a third of Ireland’s total electricity demand.
“Irish wind farms, and particularly those in Kerry, are playing an enormous part in reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions by over 4 million tonnes a year and creating significant opportunities in job creation and funding for rural communities,” said Justin Moran.
Article Source – Record March for wind energy production – RTE