Overall gas demand in August was well down on the same month last year amid mild and changeable weather.
According to the latest Gas Demand Statement from Gas Networks Ireland, gas demand in the month was down by a fifth on August of last year and by 2% on July.
Gas remained the biggest contributor to electricity generation this August, providing 46% of the country’s electricity needs in the month.
At times during August, gas powered almost 90% of the country’s electricity and never dropped below 13%.
Wind powered generation of electricity peaked at 78% but there were times during the month when the wind supply dropped to negligible levels and contributed less than 1% of electricity generation.
The overall contribution in the month from wind generation jumped from 19% in August of last year to 35% this year.
Coal contributed 3% to Ireland’s electricity generation in August, peaking at 13%, the report shows.
“Gas and wind generation collectively continue to dominate Ireland’s electricity supplies,” Gas Network Ireland’s Acting Director of Strategy and Regulation Brian Mullins said.
“Being able to harness wind energy when it is available, and back it up with the flexibility and reliability of gas when it’s not, provides a secure and complete energy system for the people of Ireland,” he added.
Article Source: Gas demand down by a fifth during mild August – GNI – RTE