Overall gas demand decreased by three per cent in the first half of 2024 when compared to the first half of 2023.
The Gas Networks Ireland’s June gas demand report shows gas was the largest contributor to electricity generation in the same period, generating 43 per cent of electricity in comparison to 36 per cent generated by wind.
Last month, gas demand decreased by 17 per cent month-on-month, and 8 per cent year-on-year.
Gas was the largest contributor to electricity generation during the month, generating 47 per cent, compared to 28 per cent for wind.
At times in June, gas powered up to 83 per cent of the country’s electricity, and never dropped below 15 per cent.
Commenting on the figures, Gas Networks Ireland’s director of strategy and regulation Edwina Nyhan said: "While June saw a decrease in gas demand, these latest figures round out the first half of the year that was characterised by strong gas demand overall, with gas’s contribution to electricity generation exceeding that of any other energy source, including wind.
"The figures demonstrate that the role of the gas network in the energy system is changing.
"The network is increasingly needed to provide resilience and security of supply as the level of renewables in the wider energy system increase, and our network is critical to ensuring that wind is backed up when it isn’t blowing.
"The two energy sources are shown in our report to be complementing each other well. Wind’s contribution to the grid peaked at 81 per cent during the first half of 2024, but given the variable nature of weather-dependent renewable energy sources, there were also times when the wind supply dropped completely and contributed less than one per cent of electricity generation. During these times, gas served as an essential back-up."
