Wind power in the Republic of Ireland

As of September 2008, there are 74 wind farms in operation in the Republic of Ireland with a total capacity of 855 Megawatts. A further 150 to 200MW is estimated by ESB to be connected to the grid by the end of 2008. The state-owned electric power transmission company, Eirgrid, state that in the period up to 2010, an additional 446.4 Megawatts of wind power are contracted to be connected to the Irish electricity grid. .

Motivation
The European Union's 2001 RES-E directive addressed a target to Ireland of producing 13.2 % of its electricity needs through renewable energy sources. The Irish Government's report on Policy Consideration for Renewable Electricity to 2010 estimated that the Republic will need approximately 1,432 MW of renewable energy production by the end of 2009 to meet this target. In the report an estimated 1100 MW was expected to be supplied by wind farms. Considering the current levels of wind generated electricity, it appears this target will be met.