Reliance on imported gas grows as Irish production drops

Gas imports represented 79% of the total metered supply during November, CSO figures show

During November, total networked gas supply was 4,663 gigawatt hours (GWh) — up from 4,564 GWh in November 2022.

Imports of natural gas rose in November as indigenous production from the Corrib gas field shrank, new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.

During November, total networked gas supply was 4,663 gigawatt hours (GWh) — up from 4,564 GWh in November 2022. The volume of gas imported grew by 8% during the month, while production in Ireland fell by 14%.

According to the CSO, gas imports represented 79% of the total metered supply during November, with production from the Corrib gas field and biomethane plants accounting for the remaining 21%.

Gas consumption among non-daily metered customers — which includes households and industry and services sectors — increased by 11% during November compared to 2022.

Consumption among daily metered customers — who have an annual consumption equal to or greater than 5.55 GWh and less than 57.5 GWh — rose by 3% while usage among large daily metered customers — whose annual consumption is greater than 57.5 GWh — dropped by 8%.

Gas usage in power plants rose by 0.4%.

CSO statistician Deirdre Moran said during November power plants accounted for 59% of total gas demand, down from 66% of total demand in October 2023.

“Non-daily metered represented 26% of total gas demand, up from 17% of total demand in October 2023,” she said.