Demand for gas last year was 2.5% higher than in 2023 according to the latest figures from the Central Statisitics Office.

New data released by the CSO shows total gas demand in 2024 was 53,563 gigawatt hours (GWh), which was 2.5% higher than the 2023 figure of 52,247 GWh.

Across the network, demand among the four customer types was also up: Power Plants (+2%), Non-Daily Metered customers (+5%), Large Daily Metered customers (+0.5%), and Daily Metered customers (+5%).

Power Plants accounted for 64% of total gas demand, while Non-Daily Metered customers, who are largely domestic users and small businesses, represented 19% of total gas demand.

The new figures also show the amount of gas imported in 2024 was 5% higher while indigenous production was down 7% compared with 2023.

In 2024, imports represented 79% of the total gas supply. Annual figures for Indigenous Gas Production have been declining over the last number of years.

The figures show for the month of December total gas demand was 4,985 gigawatt hours (GWh), which was 16% higher than the December 2023 figure of 4,309 GWh.

Also, imports were 25% higher in December 2024 compared with December 2023, while Indigenous Gas Production was 15% lower.

Deirdre Moran, CSO Statistician in the Climate and Energy Division, said: “In 2024, total gas demand was 2.5% higher compared with 2023, and 5% lower compared with 2022.

"Comparing the year 2024 with 2023, networked gas demand was higher for each of the four customer types: Power Plants were 2% higher, Non-Daily Metered customers saw a 5% rise, Large Daily Metered customers increased by 0.5%, and Daily Metered customers were up 5%.

"In 2024, Imports represented 79% of total gas supply. Annual figures for Indigenous Gas Production have been declining over the last number of years."