WEI: Wind energy helped stabilise electricity prices in March
Rising gas prices drove the average wholesale price of electricity in Ireland last month up 19% compared to February.
However, a strong performance by Irish wind farms is said to have kept prices lower than in March 2025.
The average wholesale price in March 2026 was €128.77 per megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity.
Prices fell to an average of €94.20 on the days with the most wind energy while doubling to €179.10 when the country was forced to rely on imported fossil fuels.
This was the highest average wholesale price since March 2025 when prices averaged at €131.80 and up 19% on February 2026’s price of €107.97.
Wind energy
Irish wind farms provided 41% of the country’s electricity in March.
At 1,537GWh of power produced, wind was, for the second consecutive month, the number one source of electricity.
European gas prices began to rise sharply at the end of February as tensions rose prior to the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
On April 9, prices were 45% higher than they had been on February 27.
CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, Noel Cunniffe said: “Last month is a clear example of how wind energy helps to protect Irish families and businesses.
“At a time when we were exposed again to the worst effects of a volatile fossil fuel market, Irish wind farms halved the wholesale price of power compared to days when we had to rely almost entirely on imported gas.
“This is the world’s second fossil fuel energy crisis in less than five years.
"The solution is clear, build an Irish electro-state which can rely on our own clean, affordable and secure electricity supplies," he added.
Planning delays
Wind Energy Ireland highlighted the need to get more onshore projects through the planning system which is experiencing a backlog of projects with An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Noel Cunniffe continued: “There are more than 40 wind energy projects waiting for a decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála.
"We need decisions on them as soon as possible.
“Every one of those can help make our country more energy secure and can provide greater protection to Irish consumers whose vulnerability to the global fossil fuel industry is being demonstrated again.”
Top wind counties
The latest figures from Infranua show that Kerry regained its position as Ireland’s number one source of wind energy with around 160GWh of power generated.
It was followed by Cork at 138GWh, while Offaly rose to third place with 120GWh.
Galway and Tyrone rounded out the top five with 113GWh and 108GWh respectively.
The results of this report are based on EirGrid’s SCADA data compiled by MullanGrid, market data provided by ElectroRoute and county-level wind generation data provided by Infranua based on D+1 SEMO data.
Wind Energy Ireland
Wind Energy Ireland is the representative body for the Irish wind industry.
It works to promote wind energy as an "essential, economical and environmentally friendly" part of the country’s low-carbon energy future.
It is Ireland’s largest renewable energy organisation with over 200 members
It is an all-Ireland body, working in Northern Ireland as RenewableNI through a partnership with RenewableUK.
