Imported fossil fuels push up wholesale electricity prices by 19 per cent

Strong performance by Irish wind farms keeps prices under 2025 levels

Rising gas prices drove the average wholesale price of electricity in Ireland last month up 19 per cent compared to February but a strong performance by Irish wind farms kept prices lower than in March 2025.

The average wholesale price in March 2026 was €128.77 per megawatt-hour of electricity. Prices fell to an average of €94.20 on the days with the most wind energy while doubling to €179.10 when we were forced to rely on expensive imported fossil fuels.

This was the highest average wholesale price since March 2025 when prices averaged at €131.80 and up 19 per cent on February 2026’s price of €107.97.

Irish wind farms provided 41 per cent of the country’s electricity in March and at 1,537 GWh of power produced were, for the second consecutive month, our number one source of electricity.

European gas prices began to rise sharply at the end of February as tensions rose prior to the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. On 9 April prices were 45 per cent higher than they had been on 27 February.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Last month is a clear example of how wind energy helps to protect Irish families and businesses.

“At a time when we were exposed again to the worst effects of a volatile fossil fuel market Irish wind farms halved the wholesale price of power compared to days when we had to rely almost entirely on imported gas.

“This is the world’s second fossil fuel energy crisis in less than five years. The solution is clear, build an Irish electrostate which can rely on our own clean, affordable and secure electricity supplies.”

Planning delays

Wind Energy Ireland highlighted the need to get more onshore projects through the planning system which has an enormous backlog of projects with An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Noel Cunniffe continued: “There are more than 40 wind energy projects waiting for a decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála. We need decisions on them as soon as possible.

“Every one of those can help make our country more energy secure and can provide greater protection to Irish consumers whose vulnerability to the global fossil fuel industry is being demonstrated again.”

Top wind counties

The latest figures from Infranua show that Kerry regained its position as Ireland’s number one source of wind energy with around 160 GWh of power generated.

It was followed by Cork at 138 GWh, while Offaly rose to third place with 120 GWh. Galway and Tyrone rounded out the top five with 113 GWh and 108 GWh respectively.

The results of this report are based on EirGrid’s SCADA data compiled by MullanGrid, market data provided by ElectroRoute and county-level wind generation data provided by Infranua based on D+1 SEMO data.