Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,664km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.
Almost 720,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs.
The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy, including 40% of all heating and almost 50% of the country’s electricity generation.
By working to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and green hydrogen, and complementing intermittent renewable electricity, Gas Networks Ireland is supporting Ireland’s journey to a cleaner energy future.
Structurally identical to natural gas, biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas that can be made from farm and food waste through a process known as anaerobic digestion.
Biomethane is fully compatible with the national gas network and existing appliances, technologies and vehicles. It can seamlessly replace natural gas to reduce emissions in heating, industry, transport and power generation, while also supporting the decarbonisation of the agri-food sector.
Gas Networks Ireland first introduced domestically produced biomethane onto Ireland’s gas network more than three years ago. In 2022 Gas Networks Ireland transported 41GWh of biomethane in the national network. This is just below 1% of Ireland’s gas demand. It is beginning to seamlessly replace natural gas and is fully compatible with existing appliances and technology.
A carbon-free renewable gas that can be made from renewable electricity and stored until needed, hydrogen is vital to both Ireland’s and the EU’s ambition for a net-zero energy system by 2050. Hydrogen also demonstrates how greater integration between Ireland’s gas and electricity networks can support a low-carbon economy, while also enhancing energy security and diversity.
