Wind was the largest single source of power last month, according to the system operator's latest data. It marked the third consecutive month in which renewables met around half of demand, reflecting ongoing progress in integrating green electricity onto Ireland's grid.

EirGrid said system developments have already enabled up to 75% of electricity demand to be met instantaneously by variable renewable sources such as wind and solar, and a major work programme is under way to increase that limit to 95%.

Year on year, April 2026 saw a higher contribution from wind and solar than April 2025. Metered data indicates wind provided 33% and grid‑scale solar 0.9% in April last year. In April 2026, total output reached 1,078 GWh from wind and 163 GWh from grid‑scale solar, compared with 761 GWh and 119 GWh respectively in April 2025. Elsewhere in the mix for April 2026, gas accounted for 35% of electricity used, while 16% was imported via interconnectors. Total system demand was 2,865 GWh, down from 3,142 GWh in March.

Solar power set new records during the month, with Ireland surpassing 1 GW of grid‑scale solar generation for the first time. A peak of 1,021 MW was recorded on Monday 20 April at 12.19pm, followed by 1,087 MW on Friday 24 April at 12.08pm and a further record of 1,133 MW on Saturday 25 April at 2.14pm. EirGrid estimates 1 GW is enough to power around 500,000 customers, attributing the milestone to the growing number of large solar farms connected to the system.

Diarmaid Gillespie, EirGrid's Director of System Operations, said: "It's positive to see that this was the third consecutive month where almost half of Ireland's electricity was generated by renewables. Wind continues to be the largest contributor, but the growth of solar in Ireland's fuel mix if noteworthy as we head into the summer months."

EirGrid balances supply and demand around the clock from its National Control Centre while planning for Ireland's long‑term electricity needs.