Ireland Targets 8GW Solar by 2030: Achieving the Ireland solar energy target
Ireland is on a determined path to reshape its energy landscape, with solar power playing a pivotal role. The nation is driving towards an ambitious goal of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. To achieve this, a significant expansion of solar capacity, potentially reaching 8GW, is seen as essential, fueling a period of rapid deployment that is testing and transforming the country’s electricity grid.
While the 8GW figure represents a crucial component of the overall strategy rather than a standalone government mandate, the progress on the ground is undeniable. Ireland already has over 2.2GW of solar PV installed, establishing solar as the third-highest source of electricity generation in the country. This rapid growth underscores the momentum behind the nation’s green transition.
Fuelling the Solar Boom with Ireland solar energy target Initiatives
The swift expansion of solar energy is being driven by robust government support and strategic initiatives. Policy mechanisms are creating a fertile environment for both large-scale and community-level projects.
Key among these is the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS), which has successfully delivered successive auctions to support new renewable projects. Complementing this is the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), which opened for applications in early 2025. This scheme empowers communities, farmers, and small businesses to participate directly in the energy transition by developing solar and wind projects up to 6MW and generating income from the power they produce.
Upgrading the Grid to Meet the Ireland solar energy target
Integrating a vast amount of intermittent renewable energy like solar requires a modern, resilient, and flexible electricity grid. Recognizing this challenge, Ireland is making substantial investments to ensure its infrastructure can handle the green power surge.
A planned investment of €3.5 billion in the nation’s electricity infrastructure between 2026 and 2030 is at the heart of this effort. This funding is being directed towards critical upgrades and new capacity, including:
- Energy Storage: Ireland has already brought over 1GW of battery storage onto the grid. This capacity is vital for balancing supply and demand, storing excess solar power generated during the day for use during peak evening hours or on cloudy days.
- Interconnection: Enhancing connections to neighbouring energy markets is another key strategy. The 500MW Greenlink HVDC interconnector came online in 2025, and the 700MW Celtic interconnector to France is scheduled for completion in 2026. These links improve energy security, provide access to broader markets, and help stabilize the grid.
By coupling rapid solar deployment with strategic, large-scale grid investment, Ireland is methodically building a resilient energy system capable of achieving its ambitious 2030 climate targets. The coming years will be critical as the nation works to deliver this infrastructure at pace and scale, cementing its role as a leader in the renewable energy transition.
