A Wind Energy Ireland commissioned study has found that wind and solar generation together saved more than €1.5 billion in gas and carbon costs across Ireland’s SEM in 2025
Wind delivered the largest share with 13.8 TWh in 2025, displacing over €1.4 billion in gas and carbon costs
Solar produced 1.1 TWh, saving €115 million overall and displacing nearly 190 million cubic meters of gas
Wind and solar provided balanced savings across the year – wind contributing more in winter, solar in summer
These helped reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets and improved energy security, says the report by Baringa
Renewable energy helped Ireland save up to €13 million every day in gas and carbon costs during periods of high demand in 2025 when gas prices were at their highest. Together, wind and solar generation saved more than €1.5 billion in gas and carbon costs in 2025, according to a new report by Baringa.
While solar energy saved €115 million with 1.1 TWh generation across the Single Electricity Market (SEM), wind energy displaced more than €1.4 billion worth of gas and carbon costs with 13.8 TWh during the year, says the consultancy in the report titled Cutting Carbon, Cutting Bills, commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland.
According to the report, solar power displaced almost 190 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas from the generation mix in Ireland, with avoided costs totaling almost €70 million. The savings from solar were mostly accrued during the summer months, peaking in May, with a total savings of €18 million.
In other words, Baringa analysts believe solar power reduced gas and carbon costs by an average of €16 million in each of the summer months of 2025.
Wind and solar farms, therefore, provided complementary seasonal benefits, driving relatively consistent overall savings across the year, reads the report.
“As this report shows, solar is already cutting exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. With Ireland scaling towards 8 GW by 2030, its contribution to affordability, energy security and local economic value will continue to grow,” said Solar Ireland CEO Ronan Power. Ireland’s cumulative capacity exceeded 2 GW in late 2025, according to ESB Networks (see Ireland’s Cumulative Installed Solar PV Capacity Exceeds 2 GW).
Wind Energy Ireland CEO Noel Cunniffe added, “We cannot be energy secure if we rely on gas markets dominated by the likes of Vladimir Putin. 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.”
The complete report is available on Wind Energy Ireland’s website for free download.
