Renewables Saved Ireland €1.5 Billion in 2025

Renewables Saved Irish Households €1.5 Billion in 2025: Here’s What It Means for Your Bills

Renewable energy saved Irish households and businesses €1.5 billion in electricity costs during 2025, according to a major new report published this week. Wind and solar generation slashed spending on gas and carbon credits, shielding consumers from volatile international fuel prices while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by over 5 million tonnes.

The findings, detailed in the Cutting Carbon, Cutting Billsreport commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland and produced by international consultancy Baringa, provide compelling evidence that renewable energy is not just good for the environment but essential for keeping electricity bills affordable in Ireland.

How Renewables Cut €1.5 Billion From Energy Costs

At the time of writing, wind energy accounted for €1.4 billion of the total savings, with solar farms contributing €115 million in reduced gas and carbon costs. These savings were distributed across the island of Ireland, with €1.1 billion (72%) benefiting the Republic and €426 million (28%) accruing in Northern Ireland.

The report reveals that renewable generation was most valuable during winter months, when electricity demand and gas prices peaked. In February 2025 alone, renewables cut gas and carbon spending by €225 million. On the windiest days, savings reached up to €13 million per day.

Wind farms supplied 34% of Ireland’s electricity in January 2026, generating approximately 1,400 gigawatt hours during a month when demand hit a record 4,087 GWh. This level of renewable generation directly influenced wholesale electricity prices.

The Direct Impact on Wholesale Electricity Prices

One of the report’s most striking findings is how renewable energy availability affects the wholesale cost of electricity, which ultimately feeds through to consumer bills.

On days when wind energy generation was highest, wholesale electricity prices averaged €101.84 per megawatt hour. This jumped to €145.84 per MWh when wind was lowest and Ireland had to rely more heavily on imported fossil fuels. The €44 difference demonstrates the direct price suppression effect of renewable generation.

“The availability of renewable energy keeps the price of electricity significantly lower than what it might otherwise be for everyone,” notes the RTÉ report on the findings.

Beyond Bill Savings: Energy Security and Emissions

The financial benefits tell only part of the story. By displacing gas-fired generation, renewable energy in 2025 avoided more than 5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. This is equivalent to the annual energy-related emissions from approximately 1.2 million Irish households.

Over the past four years, cumulative savings from wind and solar have reached €6.7 billion, which Wind Energy Ireland describes as a “staggering” amount. Without renewable development, this money would have flowed to international fossil fuel markets rather than supporting economic activity within Ireland.

“We cannot be energy secure if we rely on gas markets dominated by the likes of Vladimir Putin,” said Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland. “Together, wind and solar are helping to build a true Irish electrostate where we can power ourselves with our own clean, affordable and secure energy.”

What This Means for Irish Homeowners

While grid-scale renewables benefit all electricity consumers through lower wholesale prices, homeowners can magnify these savings dramatically by installing their own solar panels.

Ronan Power, chief executive of Solar Ireland, emphasised the unique accessibility of solar: “Solar power is delivered at utility scale as well as on rooftops across homes, businesses, schools, farms, public and community buildings. That accessibility allows communities to generate their own clean electricity while reducing reliance on imported gas.”

Irish households with solar PV systems typically see electricity bill reductions of 30 to 50%, depending on system size, energy consumption patterns, and whether battery storage is included. With SEAI grants covering up to €1,800 of installation costs at the time of writing, most systems achieve payback within 4 to 7 years.

 Get your free solar quote from Ireland’s trusted renewable energy experts and start saving today. 

Maximising Your Savings: Solar Plus Battery Storage

The report’s findings about price volatility throughout the day and year highlight why battery storage is becoming increasingly valuable for Irish homeowners with solar panels.

Without battery storage, households typically consume 30 to 40% of the solar energy they generate, with the remainder exported to the grid. Adding a home battery system increases self-consumption to 70 to 80%, maximising bill savings and reducing reliance on grid electricity during evening peak hours when prices are highest.

As wholesale prices continue to fluctuate with renewable generation levels, storing your own solar energy provides both financial benefits and greater energy independence. While there is currently no SEAI grant for battery storage, the systems qualify for 0% VAT when installed alongside solar panels.

Smart EV Charging: Another Way to Benefit

For homeowners with electric vehicles, smart EV chargers like the Zappi or Ohme Home Pro allow you to charge directly from excess solar generation. This makes EV charging essentially free when the sun is shining, further reducing household energy costs.

Smart chargers can also be scheduled to charge overnight when electricity rates are lowest, taking advantage of time-of-use tariffs offered by suppliers like SSE Airtricity and Electric Ireland. According to the SEAI EV home charger grant scheme, homeowners can claim €300 towards installation costs at the time of writing.

Looking Ahead: Why 2026 Is the Year for Solar

Ireland is scaling rapidly towards 8 GW of solar capacity by 2030. With over 100,000 homes now connected to the grid with rooftop solar and 1 GW of new capacity added in 2025 alone, solar energy is transitioning from niche to mainstream.

The Cutting Carbon, Cutting Bills report demonstrates that renewable energy is Ireland’s best defence against volatile international energy markets and high electricity prices. While grid-scale wind and solar benefit everyone through lower wholesale prices, installing your own solar system allows you to take direct control of your energy costs.

Key factors making 2026 an excellent year to go solar in Ireland include:

• SEAI grants of up to €1,800 confirmed to continue throughout 2026
• 0% VAT on solar panel installations for homes
• Rising solar export payment rates from electricity suppliers (up to €0.195 per kWh)
• Proven technology with over 100,000 Irish installations
• Payback periods of 4 to 7 years on average
• Protection against future electricity price volatility

Final Thoughts

The €1.5 billion that renewable energy saved Ireland in 2025 proves that wind and solar are not just environmental solutions but economic necessities. As wholesale electricity prices remain more than double their 2019 levels, renewable generation provides the most effective buffer against international fossil fuel market volatility.

For Irish homeowners, the message is clear: while everyone benefits from grid-scale renewables through lower wholesale prices, installing your own solar PV system amplifies these savings directly on your electricity bill. Combined with battery storage and smart EV charging, rooftop solar offers Irish households genuine energy independence and long-term protection from rising energy costs.

Ready to Take Control of Your Energy Bills?

Join over 100,000 Irish homeowners already generating clean energy and cutting their electricity costs with solar panels. WattCharger offers free consultations and handles everything from system design to SEAI grant applications, making your transition to renewable energy simple and stress-free.

Get your free solar quote from Ireland’s trusted renewable energy experts and start saving today.