EirGrid has made major strides in integrating renewable electricity, with the power system now able to safely operate with as much as 75% of demand met by variable sources such as wind and solar at any one time.

Work is in progress to raise that limit to 95%. The operator notes that renewable dispatch down is a worldwide challenge that has grown as more variable generation connects to grids, including in Ireland.

In the first half of 2026, EirGrid enabled 86.8% of wind generation to be delivered to the Irish power system, with 13.2% dispatched down. Across all renewables (wind and solar), 88.8% was accepted onto the grid and 11.2% was dispatched down during the same period.

The operator has continued to increase renewable integration. In April, grid‑scale solar set a new peak of over 1 GW for the first time, followed by several subsequent records. A fresh wind generation record of 3.89 GW was set in February. For context, it is estimated that 1 GW is enough to power around 500,000 customers.

EirGrid explained that as more renewable electricity connects, some generation may need to be reduced at times when available renewables cannot be fully accommodated due to surplus generation, system‑wide security needs, or local network constraints. Local constraints can arise in areas where upgrades to the electricity system are underway.

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To boost grid capacity and further increase renewable integration, EirGrid is delivering its most ambitious programme of work on the transmission system to date. This nationwide programme includes connecting significant volumes of offshore and onshore wind, solar and conventional generation, and reinforcing the grid so power can reach customers across the country. The work is supported by the Price Review 6 Determination, which approves EirGrid’s planned investment to strengthen and expand the grid over the next five years (2026–2030). The Government and regulator have provided an investment package of 18.9 billion euro to EirGrid and ESB Networks over the next five years to deliver this infrastructure nationwide.

Further steps are also being taken to address dispatch down:

- In November 2025, EirGrid, SONI and SEMO launched a major update enabling large‑scale battery storage to be fully integrated into the real‑time electricity market.

- At the end of 2024, EirGrid reduced the minimum number of large conventional fossil‑fuelled generators required to run on Ireland’s grid at any one time from five to four.

- EirGrid awarded four contracts for renewable integration technologies, known as synchronous condensers, to provide Low Carbon Inertia Services (LCIS). LCIS will allow the minimum number of conventional fossil‑fuelled units required to operate to be reduced further over time, creating space for more renewables.

Later this year, EirGrid will publish a Renewable Dispatch Down Action Plan, setting out the broad programme of work underway across the organisation to help reduce renewable dispatch down where possible. This follows extensive engagement with industry and stakeholders through a joint Dispatch Down working group.