Vision 2050

Climate change is one of our most urgent global challenges. Our vision is for Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,664km national gas network to evolve to become net-zero carbon by 2050 and support emissions reductions across every sector of the Irish economy.

Ireland’s net-zero carbon gas network

Ireland's decarbonisation trilemma

Transitioning to a clean energy economy requires a balance between sustainability, security and affordability. Leveraging existing energy assets such as the national gas network will be key.

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A net zero carbon gas network

By gradually replacing natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen, the gas network will continue to play an integral role in Ireland’s cleaner energy future.

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Supporting a cleaner energy future

Policy and supports will be required to ensure the gas network can support a clean energy economy across electricity, industry, heat, transport and agriculture.

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Gas is the ideal partner for electricity

Achieving Ireland’s climate change commitments will require the use of many technologies. A decarbonised gas network is the ideal partner for a decarbonised electricity grid, reliably powering up to complement intermittent renewable electricity generation and reducing emissions across key sectors where electricity is not a viable option, such as industry, heavy transport and agriculture.

See our plans

Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,664km national gas network is one of the safest and most modern networks in the world and the cornerstone of our energy system. It is ready to play its role in a cleaner energy future. #Vision2050 #renewableenergy #CleanerEnergyFuture

Gases and gas technologies to deliver Ireland’s net zero carbon network

  • Natural gas

    Emitting 40% less CO² than coal and 22% less CO² than oil, natural gas has been helping Irish homes and businesses reduce their carbon footprint for more than 40 years.

  • Compressed natural gas (CNG)

    Reducing well-to-wheel emissions by up to 23% (CENEX, 2019), CNG is a proven and reliable alternative to diesel for heavy transport.

  • Biomethane

    A carbon-neutral renewable gas made from farm and food waste, biomethane can seamlessly replace natural gas on the network today and help reduce agricultural emissions.

  • Hydrogen

    Hydrogen is a carbon free gas that can be made from renewable electricity and stored until needed. It can be blended with natural gas and biomethane or used in its purest form for zero carbon energy.

Working with Ireland's Climate Action Plan

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) sets out an ambitious trajectory to address climate change over the coming years.

Transitioning to a clean energy economy by 2050 requires a balance between sustainability, security and affordability. Leveraging existing energy assets and capabilities will enable Ireland to reach its targets more effectively.

Gas Networks Ireland’s vision is to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen, to substantially reduce the country’s carbon emissions while complementing intermittent renewable electricity and ensuring a secure energy supply.

By delivering a net-zero carbon gas network by 2050, Ireland can reduce emissions across a number of key sectors, including those that are traditionally difficult to decarbonise, such as transport, agriculture, industry, heating and power generation.