Residential electricity consumption rose across every county in Ireland in 2024, with Dublin’s postal districts accounting for the largest share, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The CSO’s latest report on metered electricity consumption revealed a 4.3% increase in total electricity use nationwide compared to 2023. Of this, residential consumption made up 28% of the total — with 18% coming from urban households and 10% from rural areas.
Dublin’s inner postal districts alone accounted for 19% of the country’s residential electricity use, followed by Cork (12%), Dublin County (6%), Galway (6%), and Kildare (5%).
Within the capital, Dublin 15 — covering areas like Blanchardstown, Castleknock and Mulhuddart — topped the list with 172 gigawatt hours (GWh) consumed. Dublin 24, which includes Tallaght and Saggart, followed with 152 GWh. At the lower end, Dublin 20 and Dublin 10 reported the least residential consumption.
Senior CSO Statistician Orla McCarthy noted that fluctuations in consumption often relate to multiple factors, including weather, energy prices, and housing trends. “While 2024 saw a cold winter and higher heating needs, many factors — such as the prevalence of BER A-rated homes and changes in housing stock — also influence usage patterns,” she said.
Though electricity use rose year-on-year, McCarthy pointed out that total consumption in Dublin’s postal districts has slightly declined since 2015. This, despite a growing number of properties and an increase in homes using electricity as their main heating fuel, suggests improved energy efficiency overall.
Nationally, median household electricity use stood at 3,246 kilowatt hours (kWh) in 2024, up 2.3% from the previous year. Kildare had the highest median consumption (3,845 kWh), followed by Meath (3,753 kWh). Counties such as Donegal, Leitrim, and Mayo recorded the lowest median usage. About 10% of households consumed under 1,000 kWh — which may indicate smaller dwellings, vacant properties, or energy poverty.
Non-residential electricity users made up the majority share of total consumption at 72%. Among these, data centres remain Ireland’s largest electricity consumers, accounting for 22% of total metered usage in 2024 — up from 21% in 2023 and just 5% in 2015. Their consumption rose 10% in a year, reaching nearly 7,000 GWh.
The report also showed strong uptake of smart meters, with 1.9 million residential customers (83%) connected by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, electric vehicle charging saw a 43% rise in electricity use, increasing from 23 GWh in 2023 to 33 GWh in 2024 — reflecting continued growth in EV adoption.
The CSO’s data underscores a growing demand for electricity across all sectors, alongside signs of greater energy efficiency and shifting consumption patterns in Ireland’s evolving energy landscape.
