Chapter 20

The strong growth trend in Ireland’s in-stalled wind power capacity continued in 2010 with an annual increase of 9%. The additional capacity also leads to new re-cords in wind power production. On the afternoon of 26 December 2010, 1,228 MW was generating. Instantaneous wind power penetration levels in the Irish elec-tricity system have exceeded 45 % at times during 2010. This is remarkable given the small isolated nature of Ireland’s electric-ity grid. Exceptionally cold periods at the start and the close of the year and pro-longed still periods during the summer months made 2010 an historically low wind year. Much innovative work is ongoing to facilitate the de-carbonizing of Ireland’s energy supply and with a planned trebling of wind capacity. The next decade will pose significant challenges particularly in permitting and grid expansion. Where grid access is available the details of condi-tions of access have yet to be finalized. Ireland’s dependence on imported fossil fuels remains at 89 % of total primary energy (3). Between 1990 and 2009, gas-fired electricity generation increased by 227%. Wind capacity increased from less than 1 MW to 1,311 MW over the same period. These were the primary factors that reduced the carbon intensity of elec-tricity from 896 g C