Republic of Ireland Renewable Energy - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The republic of ireland renewable energy market size in terms of installed base is expected to grow from 7.93 gigawatt in 2025 to 9.12 gigawatt in 2026 and is forecast to reach 18.75 gigawatt by 2031 at 15.5% CAGR over 2026-2031. This report is Segmented by Technology (Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Hydropower, Bioenergy, Geothermal, and Ocean Energy) and End-User (Utility, Commercial and Industrial, and Residential). The Market Sizes and Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Installed Capacity (GW).

Republic Of Ireland Renewable Energy Market Trends and Insights

Accelerated Offshore-Wind Leasing in Celtic & Irish Seas

Ireland’s offshore pipeline reached 7 GW in 2025, split between fixed-bottom projects in the Irish Sea and floating arrays in the Atlantic. The inaugural 900 MW Tonn Nua auction in 2024 cleared at EUR 150 per MWh, reflecting higher costs for first-of-kind floating platforms. Ørsted’s 800 MW Clogher Head scheme adds a 200 MW electrolyzer, converting surplus output into green hydrogen for industrial buyers. Cross-border links to the United Kingdom’s 4.5 GW Celtic Sea leases create export optionality, yet seabed-mapping delays have postponed 1.2 GW of Irish projects. Supply-chain tightness for dynamic cables could push several floating arrays beyond 2030.

Government-Backed RESS Auctions

RESS 3-5 allocated 2.9 GW in 2024-2025, with onshore wind securing 68% and solar 22%. Onshore wind strike prices fell 12% between RESS 3 and RESS 4 to EUR 72.58 per MWh, signaling efficiency gains and cheaper project finance. Battery-paired hybrids captured 180 MW in RESS 5, demonstrating policy support for firm-capacity solutions. Sub-5 MW Small-Scale RESS awards to rooftops reduce reliance on congested distribution networks. However, grid connection delays of up to 24 months remain a binding constraint on projects awarded in RESS 3.

Grid Congestion in South-West & West Coastal Nodes

Curtailment exceeded 11% of available wind output in 2024 as 110 kV lines from Munster struggled to evacuate coastal production. The North-South Interconnector, delayed to 2028, leaves developers dependent on localized batteries such as ESB’s 100 MW Aghada site that absorbs excess generation but only for two-hour windows. Capital is shifting toward inland sites or to floating offshore projects positioned closer to load centers.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Corporate PPAs Driving Utility-Scale Solar Build-out
• Hydrogen-Ready Transmission Grid Investments
• Slow Planning Approval Processes for Large-Scale Projects

Segment Analysis

Wind energy captured 66.2% of installed capacity in 2025, and repowering projects such as SSE's 105 MW Galway upgrade lifted onshore output without expanding footprints. The Republic of Ireland's renewable energy market size for onshore wind is projected to reach 9.3 GW by 2031 at a 9.4% CAGR, while a 4.2 GW fixed-bottom and 2.8 GW floating offshore pipeline positions the segment for 22.1% annual growth. Bioenergy capacity, anchored by 18 new anaerobic digestion facilities, is rising at a 90.4% CAGR, reflecting dispatchable generation demand that complements intermittent wind and solar. Small hydropower remains capped at 240 MW, though ESB's 300 MW Turlough Hill expansion would double long-duration storage when commissioned in 2030.

Solar's corporate-driven build-out totals 720 MW installed or under construction, and the Republic of Ireland renewable energy market size for solar is forecast to double between 2026 and 2031. Ocean energy retains pilot status; DP Energy's 5 MW wave project relies on EU Innovation Fund support to bring levelized costs below EUR 150 per MWh by decade's end. Technology diversification is therefore broadening the Republic of Ireland's renewable energy market beyond its historic wind focus.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Technology
  • Solar Energy (PV and CSP)
  • Wind Energy (Onshore and Offshore)
  • Hydropower (Small, Large, PSH)
  • Bioenergy
  • Geothermal
  • Ocean Energy (Tidal and Wave)
• By End-User
  • Utilities
  • Commercial and Industrial
  • Residential

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Statkraft Ireland Ltd
• Electricité de France SA (EDF Renewables)
• RES Group UK & Ireland Ltd
• Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd
• Ørsted A/S
• Energia Group
• SSE Renewables (SSE plc)
• ESB Generation & Trading
• Bord Gáis Energy (Centrica plc)
• Greencoat Renewables plc
• Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P.
• ABO Wind AG
• Vestas Wind Systems A/S
• Simply Blue Group
• Lightsource BP Renewables
• BayWa r.e. Ireland Ltd
• NTR plc
• DP Energy Ireland Ltd
• Neoen S.A.
• Galetech Energy Developments

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support