New figures from Gas Network Ireland show that gas was the largest energy source of electricity generation in Ireland for nine months of last year.
Wind energy was the key source for generation capacity in the other three months.
Gas Network Ireland said that gas generated 48% of the total electricity used in Ireland last year, with wind energy contributing 34% and coal providing 9%.
August saw the highest reliance on gas during the year, as it provided 64% of electricity supplies during the month.
Wind had its largest share of the sector in February, generating 53% of all electricity in the country.
Three major winter storms in February combined to drive a record contribution from wind energy in the State's electricity mix.
As storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin hit the country, wind generated 53% of Ireland's electricity for the month, peaking at 77% and never dropping below 8%.
The contribution of wind in February was 61% higher than in January, when wind had a 33% share of the overall electricity mix.
A calmer March saw gas and wind change roles in terms of the contribution to the electricity supply mix. Wind contributed 33% of the electricity generated in March while gas's share of electricity generation rose from 28% in February to 41% in March.
The critical role of gas in the overall energy mix came to the fore again in April, generating more than half the country's electricity, as the contribution from wind generation dropped to about one third.
Gas generated 52% of Ireland’s electricity in April, an increase of 27% on March and 37% on the first quarter of 2022 (38%).
Gas Networks Ireland said gas provided much needed back up to compensate for a fall off in wind, while also supporting a significant reduction in electricity generation from coal.
May's warm weather contributed to a 7% decline in overall gas demand during the month.
But wind energy had one of its strongest Mays on record - generating 33% of all electricity in the State.
At times during the month, gas powered almost 90% of the country’s electricity, peaking at 88% and never dropping below 24%.
Gas generated 57% of Ireland’s electricity demand in June and even though the amount of electricity generated by wind energy in June fell by 12% from May, it had one of its strongest Junes on record - generating 30% of all electricity in the State.
At times during the month, gas powered almost 90% of the country's electricity, peaking at 86% and never dropping below 15%. Coal contributed 5% in June, as it did in May, peaking at 15%, with a low of 2%.
Despite the warmer weather, gas demand in July was up 5% from June, with gas generating 62% of the country's electricity in July, peaking at 85%.
Gas generated 64% of Ireland’s electricity in August, up 3% on July and up 16% when compared to the same time in 2021.
The amount of electricity generated by wind energy in August fell by 14% year-on-year to 19%. At times during the month, gas powered up to 92% of the country’s electricity generation.
A mild September saw gas demand fall by 11% when compared to August, but it rose by 6% compared to the same month in 2021.
Gas generated 55% of electricity in September, down 14% on August and up 12% when compared to September 2021. Wind generated 25% of Ireland’s electricity in September, down 32% on August and up 19% compared to September the previous year.
October and November were also windy months which enabled wind energy to make the largest contribution to Ireland's electricity generation at 45% and peaking at over 75%.
But as is the nature of intermittent weather dependent energy sources there were also times during these months when the wind supply fell away almost entirely and provided less than 1% of electricity generation.
December saw temperatures plummet and the country experienced its lowest temperatures in 12 years and its highest ever energy demand.
Demand for gas in December increased by 23% compared to November and by 13% compared to December 2021.
Gas generated 45% of Ireland’s electricity in December, up by 15% on November and up by 25% on December 2021.
At times during the month, gas powered up to 73% of the country’s electricity generation needs. The share of electricity generated by gas did not drop below 11% at any point during December.
Meanwhile, wind energy provided generated 33% of Ireland’s electricity during the month of December, down 27% on November and down 18% on December 2021. While coal’s contribution doubled on a monthly basis to 12%.
Gas Networks Ireland's Acting Director of Strategy and Regulation, Brian Mullins, said the country's €2.7 billion 14,664 km national gas network, remained the backbone of Ireland's energy system last year as it kept the country's lights on when the wind did not blow.
"Almost 720,000 Irish homes and businesses relied on Ireland's gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs in 2022," Mr Mullins said.
"We are working to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and green hydrogen, complementing intermittent renewable electricity and continuing to be at the heart of Ireland’s energy," he added.
