THE NATIONAL ENERGY grid operator has said there is unlikely to be any power shortages this winter. 

Eirgrid has forecast that there will be “adequate generation capacity” and a “reduced risk” of system alerts in the coming months. 

Its annual ‘Winter Outlook’, which provides expectations for the supply and demand in the country to help inform the electricity industry and support preparation for the coming months, covers the period from 3 November 2025 to 5 April 2026. 

It said power generation in Ireland has improved due to new sources of generation on the system and the completion of a new 500 megawatt greenlink interconnector with Britain.

An additional 108 megawatts of new gas-fired power generation and 45 megawatts of new batteries are also now available to Ireland’s power system.

Eirgrid said that while the system may enter the Amber alert at times, most likely at periods of low wind and low interconnector imports, there is low probability of it entering an emergency Red alert due to insufficient generation being available.

The report states that if there was a shortage in capacity, there are protocols in place with large energy users that would mitigate any impact on homes and businesses if there was sufficient notice given.

Last winter, a new peak demand record of 6,024 megawatts was recorded on 8 January 2025 due to cold weather. 

There were two system alerts issued last winter due to storm weather warnings.

EirGrid is forecasting a peak demand of 6,044 megawatts this winter. 

“The risk of insufficient generation being available to meet demand this winter is much lower than in recent years and within the standards set by our Department, which is positive,” Eirgrid’s director of system operations Diarmaid Gillespie said. 

“While the situation can be more challenging during the colder winter months, the securing of new generators and battery storage units through the Capacity Market, and out of market measures, have been key to delivering this improved position.”

Gillespie said Eirgrid “will continue to meet the needs of electricity demand growth in Ireland in a complex and evolving supply-demand dynamic.”