Gas demand decreased by 7% in May due to warmer weather, the latest report from Gas Networks Ireland shows.
The education sector saw demand for gas slump by 58%, while residential demand also fell by 50% on a monthly basis.
Gas Networks Ireland said that unsurprisingly, as the peak summer holiday season got underway, gas demand from the air travel sector increased by 38% when compared to April.
There were also monthly increases in gas demand from the leisure/sport arenas, which rose by 54%, while construction was up 45% and the retail sector increased by 40%.
Compared to May last year, when public health restrictions were in place, there were even more significant increases in the air travel (up 172%), retail (up 130%), hotel (up 127%) and leisure/sport arenas (up 114%) sectors.
Today's report shows that gas generated 53% of Ireland's electricity in May, an increase of 1% compared to April.
Wind energy had one of its strongest Mays on record and generated 33% of all electricity in the State during the month.
Wind peaked at 69% but given the variable nature of weather dependent renewable energy sources, there were also times in the month when the wind supply dropped almost completely and contributed less than 1% of electricity generation.
At times during the month, gas powered nearly 90% of the country’s electricity, peaking at 88% and never dropping below 24%, while coal peaked at 13%, with a low of 2%.
Today's report noted that gas was also the main source of electricity generation over the May Bank Holiday weekend, providing 68% on the Sunday and 81% on the Tuesday.
Gas Networks Ireland's Head of Regulatory Affairs, Brian Mullins, said that while overall demand for gas fell in May, gas once again proved to be the backbone of the country's energy system, generating over half of Ireland’s electricity needs in the month.
"This continues the trend so far this year, as gas has been the primary source for electricity generation in four out of the first five months of 2022," Mr Mullins said.
He said that Gas Networks Ireland do not envisage any disruption to gas supply in the immediate future.
"Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, it is anticipated that restrictions on the importation of Russian gas to the EU will not significantly affect supply to Ireland. Ireland’s gas requirements will be met by indigenous supply from the Corrib gas field and via the interconnection with the UK, which is largely sourced from UK indigenous sources and Norway," he added.
