2023 was a landmark year for renewable energy, with record-breaking achievements in green electricity generation. Wind and solar farms across Ireland produced more clean power than ever before. But despite this progress, there’s a growing concern that the impact of these advancements is being diluted.
The issue? The surge in electricity demand, particularly from data centres, is consuming every additional unit of power generated by these new renewable sources. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) stated that that data centres accounted for 21% of total metered electricity consumption in 2023, this is big jump from 5% in 2021. Instead of allowing us to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, this demand is keeping the pressure on our carbon-heavy energy supply.
According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, this is a significant problem. Currently, fossil fuels still supply a staggering 83% of Ireland's energy needs across transport, heating, and power. To meet our climate goals, this figure needs to plummet to just 34% by 2030, with a vision of close to zero shortly after. Achieving this requires not only a continued commitment to green energy but a dramatic acceleration in the development of new clean energy projects.
This is where solar power becomes critically important. At Activ8 Solar Energies, we believe solar energy must play a central role in Ireland's transition away from fossil fuels. Unlike wind, which can be intermittent, solar energy provides a reliable and scalable solution that can be rapidly deployed across the country. By increasing the number of solar installations, from individual homes to large-scale solar farms, we can significantly boost the share of renewable energy in our national grid.
However, to make real progress, Ireland must also address the rapidly growing electricity demand. The path forward is clear: we must continue to support and invest in solar power to ensure that every new clean energy project contributes directly to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. By doing so, we can meet our 2030 targets and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future for Ireland.