Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 30 January 2024

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

General Oversight of EirGrid: Discussion

Dr. Liam Ryan:

I will add to Mr. Mahon's point. We are planning a system for approximately 8.5 GW of solar coming in by 2030 and an additional 5 GW of wind connecting in. If that were to shift from one to the other, we would be able to pivot to make sure we are catering for the renewables coming on the system. We see a good blend between wind and solar, both onshore and offshore, because what is seen at times is there may be an output from solar but not from wind. The two of them have a complementary effect on each other. Having a good blend between the two, therefore, is very important. When we look at the system itself, whether it is coming from solar or wind, we would generally be able to manage the system and to connect that renewable energy onto it. We do not see a major challenge or issue, if one were to move slightly in one direction or the other.