A major milestone has been reached regarding renewable generation on Ireland's electricity network.

ESB Networks has connected its 4,000th megawatt (MW) of wind capacity on to the electricity system.

Paddy Hayes, Managing Director of ESB Networks, announced the milestone at the SEAI Public Sector Energy Conference held in DCU this morning, Thursday 06 February.

Mr Hayes said: "The connection of 4,000 MW of wind energy onto our electricity network is a significant achievement for ESB Networks, the wind energy community and for Ireland. Together with the work of our colleagues in EirGrid, we have helped Ireland become a world leader, with 41 percent of our electricity generated from wind energy last month (January 2020)."

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He added: "Expanding the use of clean electricity in sectors such as transport and heating offers a clear route to decarbonisation of society. ESB Networks continues to invest and innovate to develop the safe, sustainable, resilient, flexible distribution system that will facilitate the wholescale electrification that is so critical for climate action."

Facilitating these connections is part of ESB Networks' drive towards a lower carbon energy future, in line with Ireland's commitment to meet 70 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030. 

(CM/JG)