Enel X delivers record flexibility response during Ireland's heatwave

As temperatures rose across Ireland in June, so too did demand on the country's electricity system. During this period of increased pressure, Enel X and its network of customers responded by delivering a record 572.91 MWh of demand-side flexibility through its Virtual Power Plant (VPP).

Across five dispatch events, participating businesses temporarily adjusted their electricity demand to help support grid stability when it was needed most. This marks Enel X's largest flexibility response to date in Ireland.

Traditionally, periods of peak electricity demand have been associated with the colder winter months. However, as Ireland's electricity system continues to evolve and weather patterns become more extreme, periods of high summer demand are becoming increasingly important.

Demand-side flexibility enables businesses to respond quickly when the electricity system is under pressure by temporarily adjusting their energy consumption without disrupting operations. By participating in Enel X's Virtual Power Plant, organisations help maintain grid stability while unlocking additional value from their existing energy assets.

During last week's events, Enel X's Virtual Power Plant delivered:

• 572.91 MWh of demand-side flexibility
• Five dispatch events
• The largest flexibility response delivered by Enel X in Ireland to date

To put that into perspective, the energy delivered could:

• Fully charge more than 9,500 electric vehicles
• Supply a regional hospital with electricity for nearly two weeks
• Power Dublin's DART network for nearly 8 days
• Help support thousands of homes during periods of peak evening demand

Virtual Power Plants are becoming an increasingly important part of Ireland's energy transition. By coordinating flexible energy resources across multiple sites, they enable businesses to support the electricity system without the need for new generation or network infrastructure.

As renewable generation continues to grow and electricity demand becomes more dynamic, flexibility provides a fast, reliable and cost-effective way to help balance the grid while creating new revenue opportunities for participating organisations.

The response during last week's heatwave demonstrates both the growing scale of Enel X's Virtual Power Plant and the important contribution that participating businesses are making to Ireland's electricity system.

This achievement would not have been possible without the businesses across Ireland that continue to make their flexibility available when the grid needs it most.

Their participation is helping to build a more resilient, reliable and lower-carbon electricity system, while demonstrating the critical role demand-side flexibility will play in Ireland's energy future.