Electricity needs to rise by 45% over decade
Eirgrid has said that demand for power is expected to grow by 45% from its 2023 level to 2034, and the peak requirement for power will rise by 24% over the same period.
It expects supply challenges "before 2027” when other sources of power kick in.
Heat pumps
Demand growth will come from data centres, electrification of heat and transport, and increased use of heat pumps and electric vehicles.
Power-hungry technologies are also adding to demand.
Eirgrid’s All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment report, says that increased demand will be dealt with by emergency generation capacity.
It says this can be "called upon in the event of a shortfall in capacity and where alerts on the system are likely".