EirGrid warns of rising electricity demand in Ireland

In Ireland, the electrical demand is projected to grow significantly over the next decade, according to the latest report from EirGrid. Between 2023 and 2034, a forecasted increase of 45% in electricity demand emphasizes the potentially challenging outlook for the country's electricity supply. The country experienced a peak demand of 6,024 MW in January 2023, surpassing previous records and highlighting the urgent need for enhanced capacity to meet future energy requirements. EirGrid's analysis reveals major changes in energy consumption patterns, particularly due to the electrification of heat and transport, which are expected to play a substantial role in increasing demand. By 2025, the contribution from heat pumps is expected to rise from 3% to 10% by 2034, and electric vehicles will grow from 1% to 8% during the same period. These shifts necessitate a strategic increase in electrical generation capabilities to avoid reliance on emergency measures, especially with the anticipated peak demand conditions that will require an additional 600 to 800 MW of electricity by 2032. Further challenges are foreseen post-2028, where gaps in electricity supply are likely to persist despite infrastructural improvements such as the upcoming Celtic Interconnector, which aims to bridge the capacity gap in 2027 and 2028. To sustainably meet these demands, EirGrid advocates for the development of cleaner, renewable-ready gas-fired generation, suggesting that as the transition to renewable energy sources progresses, a balanced approach will be paramount to replace fossil fuel dependency. With the report projecting continued success for wind energy, which already contributed nearly one-third of the electricity supply in early 2024, the future energy landscape in Ireland aims to emphasize a greener, more reliable system through policy guidance and market capacity improvements.