Programme overview
Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains nearly 15,000km of national gas network, the vast majority of which is distribution – medium and low pressure – pipeline. We currently provide connections for more than 720,000 customers across 23 counties, with about 30,000 of these being large industrial and commercial customers.
As well as completing brand new connections, we also undertake works to reinforce the network as well as facilitate alterations for construction projects.
1. New connections
Every year we receive thousands of requests to connect new customers to the gas network. This includes brand new customers ranging in size from small domestic dwellings to small and medium enterprises, up to large industrial/commercial customers. We assess viability and for larger customers, provide a design drawing and a design risk assessment.
Gas Networks Ireland is also supporting a growing number of new connections for the supply of biomethane into the national network as we transition to renewable gas. Some of these connections are direct, such as anerobic digestion plants, while others will be shared connections via a central grid injection facility such as the landmark project underway in Mitchelstown.
2. Reinforcements
As part of our ongoing monitoring and forecasting of gas usage and demand, we proactively ‘reinforce’ the network so that customers don’t experience any problems with supply, and also to maintain the integrity of the assets. Through software modelling we can run scenarios against the ‘1 in 50’ benchmark to check gas flow pressure and any potential restrictions.
1 in 50 is a planning standard we adopt to ensure sufficient supply and network capacity in the event of an extreme cold snap. It refers to the probability of experiencing extreme weather conditions and peak energy demand so severe as to only happen once in 50 years.
3. Third party alterations
Pipeline alterations are required when a third party needs to complete construction or developmental works over land where gas pipelines are located. This involves Gas Networks Ireland protecting, moving or altering the gas pipeline route so that it is safe for the third party to proceed with construction.
The requestors can be public or private organisations. This work is key to supporting economic and social progress because the works are generally linked to new national, residential or commercial infrastructure projects such as new public transport corridors, new public spaces, new housing developments, factory expansion, and solar and wind farm developments.
We are proud to partner with several Irish-based companies including Fingleton White, GMC, Murphy and RPS on the design and delivery of these projects.