Electricity from renewable sources provided for over half of the total energy demand in February, according to provisional data from EirGrid.

Wind power alone supplied almost half of the country’s electricity needs, accounting for just over 48% of all electricity used here last month.

Gas generation accounted for 31% of all electricity used, with 12% being imported via interconnection.

Wind turbines. Picture by: PA Archive/PA Images.

Eirgrid's Diarmaid Gillespie said it shows signs of progress as we try to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. 

“Provisional figures show that last month was one of the best for renewable energy on record, driven largely by wind energy,” he said. 

“Indeed, on February 13th, we saw a new record for wind power of 3,900 megawatts. 

“To put that in context, a record for electricity demand stands at 6,000 megawatts.”

Wind turbines in Wexford. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Currently, the electricity grid can accommodate up to 75% of electricity from renewable sources at any one time.

However, Mr Gillespie said more investment in infrastructure is needed to push this up to 100%. 

“Our ‘Shaping Electricity Programme’ which sets out a roadmap in terms of changes that we’re going to be bringing on over the next couple of years to allow for more renewables on the grid,” he said. 

“As well as building out more grid itself and new infrastructure on the grid to remove the constraint bottlenecks that we have on the grid.” 

Unless Ireland further increases the amount of renewable energy it uses, the Government is at risk of missing legally binding EU climate targets. 

If so, it will be at risk of a fine of up to €26 billion.

Main image: Wind turbines in the Irish Sea. Picture by: Alamy.com