January day had highest-ever gas demand - Business Plus

Gas demand increased 17% month-on-month and 5% year-on-year in January as the nation endured Storm Éowyn, according to national gas network operator Gas Networks Ireland.

Wednesday, 8 January recorded the highest-ever gas demand day in the Republic of Ireland while Thursday, 9 January was the third-highest, driven by a combination of high gas demand for electricity generation and low temperatures.

2024 proved to be a record year for gas demand in transport, and the trend continued in January, with transport gas demand increasing 107% year-on-year, thanks to growing interest in compressed natural gas and its renewable equivalent, BioCNG, ie carbon neutral biomethane gas compressed to fit into a commercial vehicle tank.

Commercial vehicles make up 3% of the vehicles on Ireland's roads, but are responsible for 20% of carbon emissions from transport, and Gas Networks Ireland said the adoption of compressed natural gas represents a real step forward in decarbonising the sector.

Gas accounted for 44% of overall electricity generation, up from 38% in December and two percentage points higher than January 2024.

Gas generation peaked at 83% last month and never dropped below 11%. Despite record-breaking gusts, wind energy's contribution fell from 41% in December to 33% in January 2025, with a peak contribution of 77%, but at times fell away completely, generating less than 1%.

During Storm Éowyn on Friday, 24 January, gas provided 42% of electricity compared to 36% from wind. From 20-22 January, gas accounted for 68% of electricity generation, peaking at 83%, while wind contributed 5%.

"January was a good month to demonstrate both the resilience of Ireland's gas network and the always dependable backup it provides to the country - whether during the cold weather event at the start of the month or during Storm Eowyn," said Edwina Nyhan, director of strategy and regulation at Gas Networks Ireland.

"As a critical part of Ireland's energy system, gas and the gas network ensure stability when wind and solar energy levels are low, providing essential backup power to generate electricity.

"Ireland's gas network is one of the safest and most modern in Europe and with the added security of its 14,725km of underground pipeline, it is highly resilient to adverse weather conditions.

"Supply to customers was not impacted at any stage due to these weather events."