Gas demand in the Republic of Ireland is expected to rise by 4.5% over the winter months compared with last year, according to Gas Networks Ireland’s latest Winter Outlook report. The increase is driven by higher consumption from power generation as well as industrial and commercial users.
The report confirms that Ireland has adequate gas supply sources and network capacity to meet expected demand under a range of scenarios, including a “1-in-50 winter peak day,” which represents an extremely cold day that occurs on average once every 50 years.
Despite ongoing progress in renewable energy, Ireland continues to rely heavily on imported gas. Almost 86% of the country’s gas requirements are expected to be met through subsea interconnector pipelines from Britain, while 17% of last year’s gas demand came from domestic sources.
Edwina Nyhan, Gas Networks Ireland’s Director of Strategy and Regulation, said the winter outlook demonstrates that the country’s gas infrastructure can provide the flexibility and reliability needed to keep homes warm and electricity supplies stable. “Gas will continue to provide the flexibility and reliability required to keep homes warm and the lights on over the months ahead,” Nyhan said.
Electricity demand is also expected to increase this winter. Gas-fired power generation is forecast to grow by nearly 6% as it supports the electricity system during periods of high demand and low renewable output. The rise in gas-fired generation is aided by the full inclusion of the new Greenlink interconnector between Ireland and Wales, which came online at the end of January.
October figures show a sharp rise in energy use as cooler, wetter weather drove higher demand across homes, offices, and commercial sectors. Overall gas consumption rose 19% compared with September. Residential demand was particularly strong, soaring 103% from the previous month, while education campuses saw a 70% increase, office complexes 55%, and leisure and sports arenas 49%.
Gas generated 39% of Ireland’s electricity in October, up from 37% in September but slightly below the 42% recorded in October 2024. Wind energy contributed 36%, while solar output accounted for 2%, down from 4% the previous month. The report notes that renewable generation can be highly variable, highlighting the ongoing role of gas in maintaining a secure electricity supply.
Nyhan said the shift in energy use in October illustrates how quickly demand can change during the transition to colder weather. “As temperatures dipped and Storm Amy brought wet and windy weather, households and key sectors turned their heating back on, leading to a strong rise in gas demand. Gas also remained an important back-up for the electricity system, stepping in whenever renewable generation fell away,” she said.
The report emphasizes that while Ireland’s renewable energy capacity is growing, gas remains essential to ensure energy security and manage fluctuations in wind and solar output during the winter months.
