Ireland’s electricity grid operator, EirGrid, has said there is a low likelihood of power shortages this winter, citing new generation capacity and improved system resilience. The organisation’s latest winter outlook report suggests that, unlike in previous years, the grid will have sufficient capacity to meet demand even during peak cold spells.
“The risk of insufficient generation being available to meet demand this winter is much lower than in recent years, which is positive,” said Diarmaid Gillespie, EirGrid’s Director of Operations. He added that several key infrastructure projects completed over the past year have significantly strengthened Ireland’s electricity supply.
Among the developments boosting capacity is the completion of Greenlink, a 500-megawatt interconnector linking Ireland and Britain. The new connection enhances energy security by allowing electricity to flow between the two markets when needed. In addition, an extra 108 megawatts of gas-fired power generation and 45 megawatts of battery storage have been added to the grid, further improving stability and flexibility.
EirGrid said that if supply were to tighten unexpectedly, established contingency measures would be activated. Under these protocols, large energy users—such as industrial plants—would temporarily switch to their own backup generation to ease pressure on the national grid. The company stressed that these measures would help protect households and smaller businesses from any disruption.
Last winter, EirGrid recorded a new demand peak of 6,024 megawatts on January 8, 2025, driven by freezing temperatures. This year, the operator expects demand could reach a slightly higher peak of 6,044 megawatts. The organisation noted that electricity demand typically rises sharply during cold weather, with a one-degree Celsius drop leading to an estimated 55-megawatt increase in usage.
Officials said that while energy demand continues to grow due to economic activity and population expansion, Ireland’s supply outlook for winter 2025–26 is considerably stronger. The addition of new generation sources, battery storage, and cross-border interconnectors has eased the pressure that had led to system alerts in recent years.
EirGrid’s announcement will likely reassure businesses and consumers after several winters marked by warnings of potential power shortages. The company said it will continue to monitor system conditions closely throughout the colder months to ensure a reliable and stable supply nationwide.
