Lower temperatures spur 18% rise in gas demand

Falling temperatures spurred stronger demand for natural gas in November, Gas Networks Ireland said, with businesses' demand surging.

Demand rose by 18 per cent in November compared with the previous month, with figures up 7 per cent year on year.

Residential gas demand was 16 per cent higher compared with October, and was 4 per cent ahead of 2020 in the first 11 months of the year.

Demand in offices was 50 per cent higher, and retail rose 33 per cent on October. Hotels saw a 16 per cent rise on the previous month.

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The air travel sector saw demand rise 116 per cent, with the reopening of Cork Airport contributing to the increase. Demand from the heavy-goods vehicle sector rose 11 per cent.

On the opposite end of the scale, construction saw demand fall 12 per cent.

Gas was a significant contributor to electricity generation in November, meeting 38 per cent of the country’s power requirements. That included a peak of 68 per cent and a low of 12 per cent.

Wind generation met 34 per cent of electricity demand, with a peak of 77 per cent, and coal accounting for 17 per cent.

"The role of gas in supporting intermittent wind generation was again evident this month, with Storm Barra also highlighting the strength and resilience of our network and the benefit of an underground energy system," said Gas Networks Ireland's head of regulatory affairs, Brian Mullins.

“The Government’s approval of 2GW of new gas-powered generation is hugely important and will help to meet increased electricity demand, facilitate the continued deployment of renewable generation on to the grid and help to compensate for power plant closures in the coming years.”