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Gas demand in November up 13% on a monthly basis
New figures from Gas Networks Ireland shows that colder temperatures in November compared to October saw a 13% increase in gas demand last month.
But as November was still a relatively mild month overall, gas demand decreased by 7% compared to the same month last year.
Today’s figures show monthly increases in gas demand from a number of sectors in November, with demand in the air travel sector soaring by 286%.
Demand in the education sector also rose by 45%, the leisure/sport arenas sector saw an increase of 35%, while demand in offices was up 34% and demand in the manufacturing sector increased by 27%.
But as this November was a milder month than November last year, gas demand in the residential sector decreased by 50% on an annual basis while the office sector saw a 22% fall.
Today’s report shows that wind energy provided up to 76% of the country’s electricity demand at times during November.
But as is the nature of intermittent renewable energy sources, there were also times during the month when the wind supply fell away almost entirely and provided less than 1% of electricity generation.
Gas generated 39% of Ireland’s electricity in November, as it did during October, but its share of electricity generation was down 5% when compared to November last year.
At times during the month, gas powered up to 83% of the country’s electricity generation needs. The share of electricity generated by gas did not drop below 12% at any point during November, Gas Networks Ireland stated.
Meanwhile, coal contributed 6% of power generation in November. It peaked at 19% and saw a low of less than 1%.
Gas Networks Ireland published its 2022/23 Winter Outlook in November, which stated that it did not envisage any disruption to gas supply during the winter months.
The Winter Outlook indicated that there is both enough gas supply sources and enough network capacity to meet the anticipated gas demand projections over the coming winter period, including in the case of an extremely cold day that would only occur once every 50 years.
It is expected that about 21% of the country’s natural gas requirements will be supplied from the Corrib gas field off the coast of Co Mayo during the 2022/23 winter period.
Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Regulatory Affairs Brian Mullins said the role of gas in supporting weather dependant wind generation was once again evident, as at times during the month wind supply fell away and provided less than 1% of electricity generation.
“The share of electricity generated by gas did not drop below 12% at any point during November and at times generated up to 83%,” he added.
Article Source: Gas demand in November up 13% on a monthly basis – RTE
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