Ireland will be able to generate up to 40 per cent of its electricity from wind power by 2020 but the system will have to be managed to ensure security of supply and reliability, according to the national grid operator.

The chief executive of State agency Eirgrid, Dermot Byrne, said there had been periods where wind has provided up to 50 per cent of the electricity on the network.

Eirgrid added that the characteristics of wind power would change the dynamics of the Irish electricity system and would need to be understood and managed to ensure that the system was secure and reliable.