Renewable Energy Magazine 2024

The future grid and renewable energy

The decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy supply necessitates the delivery of increased renewable electricity generation at pace – a recognisable challenge for the electricity grid.

The installation of almost 5GW of onshore renewable electricity generation to date, coupled with the ability to accommodate 75 per cent SNSP is a laudable feat, but efforts to increase the volume of installed capacity have been stymied – in large due to a planning system ill-equipped to deal with the pace of change required.

That slowdown in delivery has meant that not only will onshore infrastructure development continue out to 2030, but the Government’s target of 5GW of operational offshore capacity looks unlikely.

A perhaps unintentional consequence has been the space created for a greater focus on the grid solutions that will be needed to better bridge the geographical gap between generation and demand, and around how to best manage a projected future abundance of intermittent renewables.

There is a recognition that grid capacity limitations risks business cases for future renewable projects and as a result, conversations around long-duration storage, co-location hubs, planning system improvement, and private wires are now taking place.

A round table discussion hosted by KPMG included within is evidence of the thought now being given to grid stability and solutions, while our cover story with Beauchamps’ partner Ainsley Heffernan traces the huge shift towards renewable energy in the past two decades, while also considering the impacts of planning delays.

Other highlights include a focus beyond electricity and the future role of biogas following publication of the Government’s National Biomethane Strategy, the European context for renewable energy development, and green hydrogen.

David Whelan,

Editor