Republic Of Ireland Wind Energy Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Republic Of Ireland Wind Energy Market Trends and Insights

Rapid Cost Reductions in Onshore Turbine Technology

Competitive pricing now places onshore wind at EUR 50-60 per MWh, below fossil fuel benchmarks, thanks to average turbine ratings of 5,500 kW and rotor diameters exceeding 180 m.^{[1]Global Wind Energy Council, “Wind Turbine Suppliers Deliver New Record Volume,” gwec.net} Taller hub heights and extended planning terms of up to 30 years could halve delivered costs, particularly in western counties where wind speeds exceed 7 m/s. These economics strengthen the Ireland wind energy market as the country’s baseload substitute for gas-fired generation.

Ireland’s 80%-by-2030 Renewable-Electricity Mandate

The Climate Action Plan aims to achieve 5 GW of offshore and 9 GW of onshore wind by 2030, driving auction volume under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and reducing the minimum fossil fuel dispatch from five to four units on the grid.^{[2]EirGrid, “Number of Large Fossil Generators Reduced,” eirgrid.ie} Binding policy certainty accelerates investment decisions and reduces the weighted average cost of capital across the Ireland wind energy market.

Growing Corporate PPAs & Green-Hydrogen Demand

Data centers that use more than 21% of Irish electricity now execute long-term PPAs to secure a renewable supply. ESB and dCarbonX aim to secure 11 TWh of offshore hydrogen storage, offering new monetization paths for surplus output and stabilizing revenue for wind developers. This multi-offtake model broadens the Ireland wind energy market customer base.

AI-Optimised Site Selection Increasing Capacity Factors

Machine-learning tools combine mesoscale weather data with high-resolution terrain inputs to refine turbine placement, raising annual energy production and lowering O&M costs by 13.41% in pilot projects.^{[3]arXiv, “Reinforcement Learning Approach to Battery Management,” arxiv.org} Enhanced forecasting accuracy also lifts non-synchronous penetration limits, enabling greater instantaneous wind shares on the national grid.

Planning-Permission Bottlenecks and Judicial Reviews

Only one wind farm gained approval in Q3 2024, while 31 cases were awaiting adjudication, resulting in a backlog equivalent to 18% of the required capacity for 2030. Legal appeals, anti-wind zoning, and resource constraints at An Bord Pleanála extend timelines despite a 2024 Act that introduces statutory deadlines.

Rising Grid-Connection Charges Under the PR5 Tariff Regime

EirGrid recovers a record grid investment through higher Transmission Use-of-System fees, which lift upfront costs for new generators and squeeze project returns, especially for smaller developers. Elevated charges risk consolidating the Ireland wind energy market around large utilities capable of absorbing tariff shocks.

Segment Analysis

By Location: Offshore momentum builds while onshore remains dominant

Onshore projects supplied 99.5% of the installed capacity in 2024 and continue to underpin near-term additions, as they rely on mature supply chains and lower capital expenditures. Western and south-western counties record average wind speeds above 8 m/s, sustaining capacity factors that keep the Ireland wind energy market size robust at land-based sites. Yet land availability constraints and growing community resistance moderate future onshore growth. Offshore wind now defines the steepest trajectory, expanding at a 109.1% CAGR through 2030 as 66 projects totaling 70.28 GW advance in the planning queue. Fixed-bottom arrays, such as Codling Wind Park and Arklow Bank Phase 2, target capacity factors above 50%, and floating technology promises to unlock deeper Atlantic resources. Grid-ready ports and bespoke vessel access will determine the pace at which offshore wind energy can reshape the Irish wind energy market share during the forecast horizon.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Turbine Capacity: Above 6 MW platforms take center stage

Systems above 6 MW accounted for 61.9% of installations in 2024 and grew at a 12.4% CAGR as developers favor higher hub heights and longer blades that deliver superior yield per foundation. Supply-chain economies accelerate cost-out, which tightens the levelised cost of energy and lifts the Ireland wind energy market size for this segment. Mid-range 3-6 MW machines retain their roles where grid constraints or landscape factors restrict the use of larger equipment, but their share declines steadily. Sub-3 MW units increasingly serve distributed and community projects that require smaller footprints or simplified logistics. Planning guidelines last updated in 2006 require revision to accommodate the height and swept-area profile of modern turbines.

By Application: Community growth challenges utility hegemony

Utility-scale fleets maintained 75% of operating megawatts in 2024, with integrated developers such as ESB, SSE Renewables, and Energia Group playing a key role. These players leverage balance-sheet heft and auction expertise to secure long-term contracts that underpin the Ireland wind energy market. Community projects, now growing at 13.5% CAGR, receive preferential RESS quotas and local investment incentives, turning citizens into co-owners while diffusing siting opposition. Commercial and industrial buyers occupy a middle tranche where on-site or near-site arrays satisfy sustainability mandates under corporate PPAs.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Most current installations cluster along the Atlantic rim in Galway, Mayo, and Kerry, where wind speeds exceeding 8 m/s support high capacity factors, and lower population density facilitates permitting. Cork emerges as the national offshore staging hub following a EUR 88.5 million port retrofit, which will service turbine assembly and heavy-lift operations. The Southern waters form the South Coast Designated Maritime Area, which is home to four zones slated to start production by 2030. East-coast development leverages proximity to large demand centers around Dublin but faces tighter zoning and visual-impact scrutiny. The Codling and Arklow projects benefit from existing grid nodes, yet they must navigate busy shipping lanes and sensitive ecological areas. Midlands and northern counties hold latent onshore potential that becomes viable as grid reinforcements extend capacity corridors. A long-term strategy looks toward the Celtic Sea, where floating turbines could double the developable resource areas and transform the Irish wind energy market into a net exporter by the early 2030s.^{[4]Energy Global, “EirGrid Offshore Grid Procurement,” energyglobal.com}