Overall gas demand increased by almost 6 per cent month-on-month from June and by 3 per cent year-on-year from July 2023, Gas Networks Ireland’s July Gas Demand Report has found.
Gas was also the largest contributor to electricity generation, generating 45 per cent, which represents an increase month-on-month from 42 per cent in June, and a slight decrease year-on-year from 46 per cent relative to July of last year.
While wind energy generated 22% of Ireland’s electricity in July – a decrease of four percentage points on the previous month (26% June 2024) and a decrease of 11 percentage points on the same month last year (33% July 2023).
Commenting on the report, Gas Networks Ireland’s Director of Strategy and Regulation, Edwina Nyhansaid: “We are particularly proud to see such significant progress made in the greater uptake of BioCNG, a clean fuel and diesel alternative for freight and commercial vehicles. These numbers are a testament to the central role gas will play in Ireland’s continued journey towards net zero.”
In an effort to meet the growing demand for cleaner gas, Gas Networks Ireland has in the past month published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) on the e-tenders system, for the potential purchase of up to 250 gigawatts of biomethane.
The publication of the PIN will allow Gas Networks Ireland, to ascertain the scale of likely interest in supplying biomethane. Government strategy aims to replace 10 per cent of the natural gas that the Republic uses with biomethane, made by processing farming and food waste. After the initial market sounding exercise Gas Networks Ireland may move into a full procurement process to buy biomethane, and this substitution will therefore contribute to reducing Ireland’s overall energy emissions, in line with the Government’s National Biomethane Strategy and Climate Action Plan targets.
