- EirGrid warns of challenging winter ahead
- Says low availability of power, a cause for concern
- Data points at growing availability risks
Ireland’s grid operator EirGrid has warned of a challenging winter ahead in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. EirGrid says the low availability forecasts for power plants is a cause for concern as winter approaches. It, however, does not expect a supply deficit this year.
As the country begins the transition to renewable energy, it faces a major increase in electricity demand from data centres requiring a large and constant electricity supply to operate. These data centres, according to forecasts, will account for at least 25% of all electricity demand in the Republic of Ireland by 2030.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has stated that it is not absolutely certain that the country would not experience blackouts and that the option to use coal for electricity generation remains open. ”We can’t have the lights going out,” Ryan said.