Mayo in top four of wind energy generators in Ireland

WIND energy from Mayo windfarms generated 7.2 percent of Ireland's wind power during March putting it in the top four wind energy generating counties.

The latest report from Wind Energy Ireland shows that during March 33 percent of Ireland's power came from wind energy with 1,201 gigawatt hours (GWh) of wind energy generated last month. The report also states that 38 percent of Ireland's power came from wind farms in the first three months of 2025.

Kerry led the way in terms of wind power generation in March with 135 Gwh produced in the Kingdom which equates to 11.2 percent of Ireland's wind power. They were followed by their neighbours in Cork which generated 125 GWh which equates to 10.4 percent of Ireland's wind power.

In Connacht, 89 GWh of wind power was generated in Galway which equates to 7.4 percent of Ireland's wind power while windfarms in Mayo generated 87 GWh in March. Co Offaly makes up the top five counties with 81 GWh generated in the midland's county.

The largest onshore windfarm in Ireland is the Oweninny Wind Farm at Bellacorick in north Mayo which has up to 60 wind turbines with a further 18 in the pipeline.

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Commenting on the latest figures, Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Irish wind farms, and particularly those in Kerry, are playing an enormous part in reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions and creating funding for rural communities to invest in the priorities they choose for their area like sports grounds and community spaces.

“As new wind farms connect to the grid the amount of money invested by our members in local communities will only grow. By developing our renewable energy sector, we can build an Ireland that is energy independent, delivering warm homes and cleaner air.”

The latest figures, published by Wind Energy Ireland, show that the demand for electricity during March 2025 increased slightly to 3,673 GWh, up from 3,598 GWh in the same month last year.

The share of electricity demand met by wind farms last month, at 33 per cent, was slightly below the normal average for wind energy in March but Wind Energy Ireland says the shortfall was partially compensated by a record month for solar power.

“Our members provided a third of Ireland’s electricity in March,” added Mr Cunniffe.

“Every time a wind turbine is generating electricity, it is reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, helping to push down wholesale electricity prices and increasing our supply of clean energy to power our homes, businesses and local communities.

“Irish wind farms produce power without burning imported fossil fuels, which means we can cut our carbon emissions at the same time as we cut our fuel imports and our prices.”

The report also shows that the average wholesale price of electricity in Ireland fell for the second consecutive month to €131.80 per megawatt-hour in March.

Prices last month on days with the most wind power saw the average cost of a megawatt-hour of electricity fall to €112.26 but nearly double to €165.19 on days when we relied almost entirely on fossil fuels.

Mr Cunniffe added that the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2025, which was published last week highlights the importance of 'reinforcing our electricity grid and increasing the amount of our electricity generated by renewable sources such as wind and solar'.

“Irish people want the clean energy that wind and solar farms provide and by strengthening our electricity grid, we can build an Ireland that is energy independent, delivering more affordable energy and one that meets the needs of our growing economy and keeps Ireland competitive.”