Southern Area Network Upgrade
Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for operating and maintaining Ireland’s €3bn, 14,758km national gas network. It is the cornerstone of the nation’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy and almost 50% of the country’s electricity generation.
Part of our remit is to review and monitor demand on the national gas network and to make forecasts about future requirements to ensure the network is running optimally for all customers. We have identified a need to upgrade one of the country’s main transmission (high pressure) pipelines in order to maintain required pressures and capacity for customers in the Southern area of our network.
This €50m investment in upgrading our network will provide energy resilience for gas users along the pipeline route and will also ensure that the gas system can continue to meet national energy demand on what is known as a ‘1-in-50 year’ winter day peak.
This improvement project will see pipeline capacity in the Southern area increase by approximately 20 per cent. It will support economic growth by ensuring that we can continue to connect new flexible gas fired power generation as well as new commercial customers in the region.
While total gas demand on the network is projected to decrease over the next 10 years, the winter peak day demand is predicted to grow. This increase is being driven by the need for gas-fired electricity generation to meet national electricity demand on days when power from renewable sources such as wind and solar is insufficient.
With this investment, we are taking steps to ensure security of supply along one of the nation’s key transmission pipeline routes by enabling more gas to be moved through the pipe.
Project details:
- The upgrade project involves separating the gas transmission network between Dublin-Galway-Limerick, and Dublin-Cork (referred to as the “ring-main”).
- The Dublin-Galway-Limerick transmission pipeline (referred to as Pipeline To The West) runs from Gormanstown in Co. Meath to Goatlisland in Co. Limerick, via Baldrumman in Co. Dublin. It will be upgraded to operate to its full design pressure of 85 bar, compared to the current 70 bar.
- The Cork-Dublin transmission pipeline will continue to operate at its current maximum design pressure of 70 bar.
- Works to separate the ring-main into two different pressure tiers will be contained within the existing Gas Networks Ireland Above Ground Installations (AGIs) at Baldrumman in Co. Dublin and Goatisland in Co. Limerick.
Project update
Construction works for the Southern area network upgrade project will take place within existing Gas Networks Ireland Above Ground Installation (AGI) site locations in Dublin and Limerick.
Our delivery partner Murphy began site preparations in April 2026 with works ongoing throughout the year and additional capacity due to come on stream next winter.
As works are contained within existing site locations, we are not expecting to cause any disruption to nearby road users or residents.
Updates will be provided as the project progresses throughout the year.
Environment and planning
Planning permission has been granted for both Baldrumman and Goatisland Above Ground Installation (AGI) modifications. Land owner agreements are also in place regarding land acquisition requirements for expansion of the Goatisland AGI site.
Gas Networks Ireland has taken the necessary steps throughout the preliminary planning and design stages to minimise any impact on the environment. In accordance with the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), a screening report for Appropriate Assessment was carried out for both Goatisland and Baldrumman AGIs and was included as part of the planning permission applications.