September and Q3 2022 Gas Demand Statement
- Gas demand up 6% year-on-year in September
- Gas demand up 10% in Q3 2022 compared to Q3 last year
September - Gas Demand
In September, a mostly mild month that saw above average temperatures in most parts of the country, gas demand fell by 11% when compared to August; but increased 6% on the same month last year.
In comparison to September 2021, when Covid-related public health restrictions were still in place, gas demand increased year-on-year in the air travel1 (+85%), retail (+27%), leisure/sport arenas (+25%) and hotel (+15%) sectors.
The residential sector saw an 80% month-on-month increase when compared to August, while as students returned to schools and colleges, gas demand from the education2 sector was up 63% on the previous month.
Gas generated 55% of Ireland’s electricity in September, down 14% on August and up 12% when compared to September last year. Wind generated 25% of Ireland’s electricity in September, down 32% on August and up 19% to September last year. Coal generated 10% more of Ireland’s electricity in September than it did in August. At times during the month, gas powered up to 81% of the country’s electricity generation. The share of electricity generated by gas did not drop below 16% at any point during September. Coal contributed 11% of power generation in September - peaking at 21%, with a low of 4%.
Wind peaked at 74% during the month but given the variable nature of weather dependent renewable energy sources, there were also times in the month when the wind supply dropped almost completely and contributed less than 1% of electricity generation.
Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Regulatory Affairs, Brian Mullins, said:
“April through to September tend to be the months of highest gas demand for electricity generation as wind levels typically fall off. However, this pattern can fluctuate as gas generated 55% of Ireland’s electricity in September and 64% in August. This is why gas is the ideal partner for intermittent renewable energy.
“Being able to harness weather-dependant renewable wind energy when it is available, and back it up with the flexibility and reliability of gas when there is little or no wind, provides a secure and complete energy system for the people of Ireland.”
Quarter 3 - Gas Demand
In the third quarter of the year - from July until the end of September - gas demand increased by 10% when compared to the same period last year and fell slightly (-2%) when compared to the Q2 2022.
Gas generated 60% of Ireland’s electricity in Q3, up 11% on the preceding three-month period, peaking at 92% and never dropping below 16%. While wind energy’s contribution to the electricity mix increased by 22% on the same period last year, it fell by 31% quarter-on-quarter to 22%.
At times during the quarter, gas powered up to 92% of the country’s electricity generation, never dropping below 16%. Wind energy’s contribution ranged from 74% to less than 1%, while coal contributed 11% - peaking at 21%, with a low of less than 1%.