Ireland’s national electricity grid operator EirGrid issued formal system alerts on two separate occasions last year when power supply margins reached concerning levels, according to newly released information.
In addition to these full alerts, which were previously known as “amber alerts,” the grid operator issued five further warnings throughout 2023 indicating that electricity supply was operating within margins considered “not optimal” for system stability.
System alerts are triggered when the buffer between electricity generation capacity and consumer demand becomes “tighter than optimum,” potentially putting strain on the national power infrastructure. These situations typically arise during periods of high demand, unexpected generation outages, or limited interconnector capacity with other networks.
While the alert system serves as an early warning mechanism and doesn’t necessarily indicate an imminent blackout risk, the frequency of such notices raises questions about the resilience of Ireland’s energy infrastructure amid growing electricity demand and the transition toward renewable energy sources.
The Irish electricity system has faced increasing pressure in recent years due to a combination of factors, including growing data center energy consumption, the phase-out of some traditional generation capacity, and the variable nature of wind and solar generation that now comprises a significant portion of Ireland’s energy mix.
EirGrid has previously warned that Ireland faces potential electricity supply challenges as the country works to balance reliable power provision with ambitious climate targets that require significant changes to the generation portfolio.
Energy industry experts note that successfully navigating the ongoing energy transition will require continued investment in both grid infrastructure and diverse generation sources to maintain system reliability during periods of peak demand or reduced renewable output.