Gas Networks Ireland

Mar 1, 2023

March 1, 2023 10:50 am A milder-than-average January saw Ireland’s gas demand fall by 7% compared to the same month in 2022 when conditions were colder, according to Gas Networks Ireland. The weather in the first month of 2023 also resulted in a drop of 8% in gas demand compared to December. Gas demand fell by 14% in the manufacturing sector month-on-month, while the mild weather contributed to a 16% decrease in gas demand from the offices sector and an 11% drop from the residential sector. There was a month-on-month increase in demand from the construction sector of 26% and a year-on-year increase of 14% in the retail, laundry and air travel sectors. Advertisement Image: Gas Networks Ireland Gas remained the primary source of electricity generation in the first month of 2023, as it was for nine months of 2022. Gas generated 42% of Ireland’s electricity demand in January, down 7% on December and on January 2022. According to the data, gas-powered electricity peaked at 80% at times during January and it never fell below 12%. There was a new record for wind energy which provided 40% of electricity generation in January. This is an increase of 21% both year-on-year and month-on-month. Advertisement At its peak, wind generated up to 76% of Ireland’s electricity during January. However, there were also times during the month when the wind supply dropped, resulting in wind energy providing just 1% of the country’s electricity requirements. The report shows that coal generated 8% of January’s electricity, falling by a third on December’s contribution and dropping by 43% compared to January last year.