Lower wind speeds lead to drop in power generation from wind turbines and surge in gas usage

Power generation from wind farms reduced during the month of February compared to the same period last year - leading to more gas being needed. Picture: Patrick Browne

Power plants used 33% more gas during February compared to the same period last year as lower wind speeds led to a drop in electricity being generated by turbines, new data from the Central Statistics Office shows.

During the same period, gas consumption by households dropped 19% as customers cut back on usage. Overall, the total metered gas consumption during the month came to 4,586 gigawatts - up 8% from February 2022.