Ireland Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in ireland, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Energy – PowerGen & Smart Grids
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Overview

The Irish electricity market is fully liberalized in line with the European Union (EU) energy framework. The $2. 6 billion Irish market for electrical power generation equipment is very receptive to U. S. technology. In the face of strong international competition, U. S. companies have achieved success in supplying technology, equipment, and systems to Irish power generation operators. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and ESB Networks have collaborated on smart networks research around renewable energy integration. 

National grid operator, EirGrid, reported fully dispatchable plant capacity in Ireland at 6,920 MW in 2025 in its Resource Adequacy Assessment 2025-2034 while onshore wind generation capacity was 5,400 MW. Dispatchable capacity is currently in decline through the decommissioning of several older generating stations that fail to meet environmental targets on emissions related to the EU’s Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU. In 2025, some 2,000 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) of demand capacity is contracted to the 82 data centers based in Ireland. Demand from data centers and other new large energy users is forecast to account for 31% of all energy demand by 2030. Concerns about energy security have been high on the national agenda since 2021 as strong demand and unexpected shortages in supply placed strain on Ireland’s electricity grid. To address this supply shortfall and provide short-term stability, some 650MW of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) has been procured and installed since 2023. 

Leading Sub-sectors

As Ireland transitions its electricity sector to low-carbon renewable energy, there are substantive opportunities for a wide range of innovative technologies encompassing communication and data management software, grid optimization and automation technologies, demand response and control systems, smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure, energy management for distributed generation and storage, cyber security software and services, and consumer engagement platforms and services. The deployment of emerging leading-edge solutions utilizing artificial intelligence are expected to play an expanded role forward. 

Opportunities

Ireland’s largest energy company, ESB, has ongoing investment plans for upgrading its power generation assets, transmission, and distribution networks through 2030. Planned network transmission projects by EirGrid (Ireland’s TSO) together with investments in generation capacity by independent power producers will also offer potential market opportunities.  With Ireland’s Climate Action Plan requiring 80% of electricity be generated from renewable sources by 2030, there are both logistical and technical challenges for the TSO in ensuring the electricity system remains stable and supply secure. This has necessitated a €3. 5 billion investments in the national grid infrastructure between 2026-2030 through the National Development Plan. 

Resources

For more information about Ireland’s powergen sector, please contact:

Padraig O’Connor
Commercial Advisor – Energy Sector
U.S. Commercial Service Ireland
Tel: +353.87.2314726

Email: Padraig.O’Connor@trade.gov

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