No disruption expected to gas supply forecast for summer months
Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, it is expected that restrictions on the importation of Russian gas to the EU will not significantly impact on gas supply to Ireland.
That is according to Gas Networks Ireland, which does not envisage any disruption to gas supply during the summer months.
In its 2022 Summer Outlook, Gas Networks Ireland said that Ireland’s gas supply 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.
The network operator also noted that as of early last month, the UK’s storage facilities were 79% full – an historical record high for the season.
Gas Networks Ireland’s Future Networks Manager, Maurice Power, said particular consideration was given to the invasion of Ukraine and energy security concerns regarding the supply of Russian gas to Europe for its summer outlook.
“Based on the assessment of all supply sources to Ireland and anticipated demand levels, it is not envisaged that there will be a disruption to Ireland’s gas supply during the summer months,” Mr Power said.
Maurice Power said the country’s interconnector with the UK is set to continue as the dominant supply source for Ireland, with Corrib anticipated to operate at its forecasted capacity during the summer period.
He also said that gas demand is forecast to be slightly lower over the coming summer period compared to the previous year, due to several factors including the current high wholesale gas prices.
“We have continuous communication channels in place with key regulatory and upstream stakeholders in relation to maintaining security of supply,” he added.
In line with previous years, it is anticipated that gas demand for heating in homes and businesses will also decrease as temperatures rise during the summer months, while demand for gas-fired electricity generation will likely increase as wind levels drop.
Mr Power noted that gas-fired power generation continues to play a key role in complimenting the intermittent nature of wind generation.
Last summer gas accounted for up to 69% of daily electricity generation.
“In April we already started to see gas’s share of the electricity mix rise, with a daily peak of 80% and closing the month at 52% of Ireland’s electricity generation. This trend is expected to continue through summer 2022,” he added.
Article Source – No disruption expected to gas supply forecast for summer months – RTE
