Gas Networks Ireland said there is both enough gas supply sources and enough network capacity to meet the country's anticipated gas demand projections over the coming winter period.
This includes in the case of a "1-in-50 winter peak day" - an extremely cold day that would only occur once in 50 years.
Gas Networks Ireland has today published its Winter Outlook for 2024/25, which provides an assessment of gas demand and supply projections for the months from October to March.
It said that while no disruptions to gas supply are anticipated, today's report highlights the country's continued reliance on imported gas from Great Britain, with 81% of the State's gas requirements expected to be met from gas coming through the interconnector pipelines.
The outlook also highlights the growing role of indigenous biomethane production, which is forecast to increase by 97% by March 2025 compared to the same time last year, and which will complement Ireland's gas supply.
Gas Networks Ireland's Director of Strategy & Regulation, Edwina Nyhan, said that as we move into the colder months, gas continues to play a critical role in supporting Ireland's energy needs, particularly during periods of low wind generation.
"As we look ahead to the winter period, we have sufficient gas supply and network capacity to meet demand, even under extreme weather conditions," she said.
"While Ireland remains reliant on imported gas from Great Britain, the growing contribution of indigenous biomethane will support the decarbonisation of the gas network and enhance the security of supply by diversifying our energy sources," she added.
Gas Networks Ireland said it marked a significant milestone on the way to decarbonising the gas network in October with the start of construction on the €32m Mitchelstown Central Grid Injection facility, which will support the country's emerging biomethane industry.
Once operational, the facility will reduce national CO₂ emissions by an estimated 130,000 tonnes annually and contribute 12% toward the Government's 2030 biomethane target of 5.7 TWh.
Meanwhile, overall gas demand in Ireland rose by 12% in October from September, and by 8% on the same time last year, Gas Networks Ireland's latest gas demand report shows.
It said that gas remained a key contributor to electricity generation, providing 42% of the country's power needs in October - slightly down from 44% in September but up from 41% in October last year.
Wind energy's share rose to 35% from 29% in September and from 30% the same month last year.
But it noted that when wind generation was low gas played a key role, with its contribution ranging from a high of 73% to a low of 12%.
Gas Networks Ireland said this reinforced gas's critical function in the country's energy mix as a flexible partner which provides vital backup to enable the roll out of increasing levels of intermittent renewables.
Today's figures show that gas usage across sectors varied in October.
Demand for gas in transport saw another big increase, rising by 84% on an annual basis.
Demand from the education sector increased by 94% on a monthly basis and by 80% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, demand from the office and retail sectors increased month-on-month by 50% and 26% respectively.
But demand for gas in the construction sector fell by 12% and by 41% in manufacturing, Gas Networks Ireland added. (November 27, 2024, Source: https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/1127/1483221-gas-networks-ireland-winter-outlook/)
IRELAND - Natural Gas - SUPPLIES - IMPORTS - EXPORTS