Wind farms generated 34% of total electricity demand in the first half of the year, latest figures from an industry representative body showed.
In monthly terms, the figures from Wind Energy Ireland found that wind power generation last month totalled 771 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
Kerry regained its top spot as the country’s leading source of wind energy last month after it was dethroned by Cork in May.
Kerry accounted for 12% of Ireland’s wind power at 90 GWh, followed by Cork with 82 GWh, Galway with 67 GWh, Donegal with 52 GWh and Tipperary with 47 GWh in the period.
The average wholesale price of electricity per megawatt-hour (MWh) last month was €107.74 but on day with the most wind power, the average cost of a MWh of electricity decreased to €86.78 and rose to €125.98 on days energy demand was fuelled most by fossil fuels, according to the report.
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Wind energy met 25% of Ireland’s electricity demand last month, up 5% on the previous year.
Meanwhile, the development of the renewable energy sector, wind farms in particular, continues to face challenges.
Last month, Wind Energy Ireland reiterated concern about planning backlogs and legacy issues once many wind farms near the end of their operational contracts.
Dozens of wind energy farms could be forced to shut down their operations in the next six years due to chronic issues in the planning system, the lobby group warned.
Nearly 80 wind farms with an installed capacity of 854MW will reach the end of their planning contracts between now and the end of the decade. Wind Energy Ireland warned that these projects may be decommissioned if developers cannot extend their planning permission or repower.