Northern Ireland renewable share hits record 53% in year to June

Wind supplied nearly three-quarters of the region's renewable power, but curtailment and grid limits remain constraints on the path to the 2030 target of 80%.

More than half of Northern Ireland's electricity (53%) came from renewable sources in the year to June, surpassing the level set in 2022.

Renewable generation has also consistently exceeded non-renewable generation since January, the first time this has happened.

When imported electricity is included, renewables accounted for 50% of supply. That equals the previous record, set in 2022/23.

Wind dominates the renewable mix

Wind provided 74% of renewable electricity. Bioenergy, covering anaerobic digestion, incineration and fermentation, supplied just under one-fifth (18%).

Solar contributed 6%, while landfill gas and hydro/tidal generation each provided 1%.

The increase to 53% follows several years of lower renewable output. Weather conditions can drive lower levels of generation.

Curtailment and grid limits

Northern Ireland also has a high rate of dispatch down, where turbines are switched off because there is insufficient demand for the power being generated.

The measure is used to protect the grid, which has a limit on the amount of renewable energy it can carry because of output fluctuations.

Minister points to price stability

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said rising global fossil fuel costs were "impacting negatively" on businesses and households, particularly those on lower incomes.

She said higher levels of renewable electricity would "move us away from price volatility and towards more stable and fairer prices for the electricity we use".

Northern Ireland has a target of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

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