Gas demand fell 8% from December and 7% year-on-year in January due to milder than average conditions, according to Gas Networks Ireland.
Demand fell significantly in the manufacturing sector on a monthly basis (-14%), and in the office (-16%) and residential (-11%) sectors on an annual basis.
Conversely, gas demand in construction rose by a quarter (+26%) from December, and there was an increase of 14% in the retail, laundry and air travel sectors from last January.
Gas accounted for 42% of Ireland's electricity demand in January, down seven points from both the previous month and January 2022, while remaining the primary source of electricity generation in Ireland.
At times, gas powered electricity peaked at 80% and never fell below 12%, and wind energy set a new record in providing 40% of electricity generation in January, up 21% month-on-month and year-on-year.
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At its peak, wind generated up to 76% of Ireland’s electricity during January, but it also provided as little as 1% at times. Coal generated 8% of January's electricity demand, down a third from December and 43% from last January.
“During January, there were days when there was little or no wind, which meant that weather dependant renewable energy was not available to generate electricity and meet the country’s energy demand," said Brian Mullins, acting director of strategy at Gas Networks Ireland.
“This is why gas continues to be the ideal partner for weather dependant renewables. Being able to harness wind energy when it is available and back it up with the flexibility and reliability of gas when it’s not, provides a secure and complete energy system for the people of Ireland.
“Our vision is to continue being at the heart of Ireland’s energy future and we are working to repurpose Ireland’s world-class network of gas pipelines to transport renewable gases, such as biomethane and green hydrogen, for Ireland’s low carbon future," Mullins continued.
"There are plans to repurpose over 60% of the EU’s existing gas network to transport hydrogen, and we are very well positioned in Ireland to do this."
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) found that the wholesale price of electricity fell 41.4% last month compared to December, bringing wholesale prices to 19.5% below their January 2022 mark. Pinergy last week became the first provider to drop prices since the onset of the war in Ukraine.
Photo: Brian Mullins. (Pic: Orla Murray/Coalesce)
