Ireland turned away 1,266 GWh of wind power in 2024

In 2024 the grid operator dispatched down 1,266 GWh of wind energy in Ireland: 10.1% of the wind energy that was available. That is up from 988 GWh (8.3%) in 2022 and 1,124 GWh (8.9%) in 2023, and the most since 2020, when Covid-19 lockdowns cut demand and 1,448 GWh (11.4%) was dispatched down.

Across the whole island, including Northern Ireland, the share rose faster: from 8.5% in 2022 to 10.7% in 2023 and 14.0% in 2024.

Dispatch-down happens for two reasons. Curtailment is system-wide: there is more wind and solar than the island can safely run on at once. Constraint is local: the network in one area cannot carry the power to where it is needed. The 2024 report says dispatch-down in Ireland was roughly equally due to each.

The two have different consequences. When a constraint turns a wind farm down, another generator — often gas — is turned up elsewhere to meet demand, and constrained generators with firm access are generally compensated. Curtailed power could not have been used at all, and for newer generators it is largely unpaid. Either way, the costs that are paid are recovered from electricity customers.

The share turned away tends to grow as more wind connects, unless the grid, storage and flexible demand keep pace. That is the problem this site is about.