Report highlights Ireland and Northern Ireland’s position as world leaders in integrating renewable energy.

Ireland and Northern Ireland now have a total of 2,484 Megawatts of renewable
electricity capacity, according to a major report published today. This is equivalent to
the energy required to power approximately 1.5 million homes.

EirGrid Group’s Annual Renewable Report 2012 was launched in Dublin by the
Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Mr. Pat Rabbitte TD. The
report outlines the world-leading position in integrating large amounts of renewable
energy onto the power system that is occupied by Ireland and Northern Ireland.
EirGrid Group comprises the operator of the electricity transmission grid in Ireland,
as well as the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI), and the Single
Electricity Market Operator (SEMO).

It outlines how relative to population size, the island of Ireland now has one of the
highest rates of wind energy production per capita in the world. In 2011 renewable
generation supplied 17% of electricity demand on an all-island (18% in Ireland and
12% in N. Ireland). This is up from 12% on an all-island basis in 2010.
Speaking at the launch, EirGrid Chief Executive Fintan Slye said, “Ireland and
Northern Ireland have rich renewable energy potential and the EirGrid Group is
committed to ensuring that this potential is developed throughout the island as a
whole. Through the East-West Interconnector, Grid25, DS3 and our Smart Grid
programme, EirGrid is working to ensure the infrastructural and operational capability
of our transmission system is developed to ensure that Ireland and Northern Ireland
meet the 2020 renewable electricity targets.”

The report which details renewable energy policy in Ireland and Northern Ireland,
research and technological developments in the area and global industry
developments is available to download from the EirGrid website www.eigrid.com.