Wind Energy Ireland said wholesale electricity prices fell again, for the fourth consecutive month, and the average wholesale price of electricity in April 2023 was the lowest it has been since June 2021.

The average cost of wholesale electricity last month was €125.57, but on windier days this fell to €108.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Ireland’s wind farms are reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, supporting Irish jobs and helping to push down wholesale electricity prices while cutting the carbon emissions which are fuelling the climate emergency.

“We know we can make an even bigger difference if we can connect more wind farms and this week saw significant progress with the closure of our first-ever auction for offshore wind energy and the publication of the terms and conditions for the next onshore renewables auction.

“The continued fall in wholesale electricity prices is welcome news and we hope that consumers will soon see the benefit.

“However, families and businesses will remain at risk while we remain dependent on imported fossil fuels. If we have a cold winter and if China returns aggressively to the LNG (liquified natural gas) market we will be exposed again to record electricity prices.

“The quicker we can build wind farms, and the faster we can reinforce the electricity grid, the sooner we can rely on Irish renewable energy to provide our electricity.”