The role of Ireland’s €3 billion gas infrastructure
As operators of Ireland’s 14,758km gas pipeline and associated infrastructure, Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for a significant programme of capital works to ensure the national gas network is meeting the energy needs of the country today, and into the future.
Gas is the cornerstone of Ireland’s integrated energy system, providing approximately 40 per cent of the country’s electricity generation, increasing to 90 per cent at times of peak energy use. Gas also plays a critical role in providing security and stability as the country transitions to renewable power sources.
In 2025, the capital expenditure programme was in excess of €200 million and in 2026, that figure is set to rise to €237 million. This body of work focuses on maintaining, upgrading, expanding and decarbonising Ireland’s gas network.
The ongoing investment in this €3 billion national asset means Ireland can continue to boast one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in Europe. It also ensures that the 720,000 domestic and commercial customers, as well as the population at large, can rely on the gas network to stabilise the overall energy system while building out renewable capacity.
Gas infrastructure is economic infrastructure. Without gas the country would be unable to support ongoing foreign direct investment and indigenous growth in high-demand sectors such as pharma, tech, and manufacturing. At the other end of the scale, renewable gas is providing new ‘green economy’ opportunities for the agricultural sector in regional locations as biomethane comes onstream.
This year will mark significant investments in new infrastructure projects for meeting capacity demands and decarbonising the network. This is in addition to a rolling programme of work which includes connecting new customers, facilitating pipeline alterations/diversions for third-party construction projects, reinforcing the network in response to usage trends and ongoing refurbishments.
Advancing Ireland’s renewable gas infrastructure
Gas Networks Ireland’s €32 million Central Grid Injection (CGI) facility in Mitchelstown, County Cork is a key project in the expansion of Ireland’s renewable gas infrastructure. Delivered in partnership with GMC Utilities Group, the facility will enable large-scale biomethane injection into the national gas network and play a pivotal role in meeting Ireland’s climate and energy targets.
Once operational, the Mitchelstown CGI facility will be capable of injecting up to 700GWh of renewable biomethane annually, equivalent to meeting 12 per cent of Ireland’s 2030 biomethane production target. This clean energy injection will support a reduction of approximately 130,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, strengthening Ireland’s path toward a fully decarbonised gas network.
The facility represents a major step toward Gas Networks Ireland’s vision of a repurposed, resized and net zero gas network by 2045. As demand for sustainable energy solutions increases, infrastructure projects like Mitchelstown will be essential in helping Ireland’s largest energy users meet their decarbonisation goals and will provide new economic opportunities for the agricultural sector.
Powering the transition to renewable sources
Gas Networks Ireland is currently delivering on a multi-million infrastructure programme for the provision of high-pressure natural gas connections to ‘peaker’ power stations. Peakers utilise a type of gas turbine that can quickly be ramped up or down depending on how much power is available from wind and solar at any given time. They operate when electricity demand is especially high, typically on cold days with low wind and low sun, known as ‘Dunkelflaute’ conditions.
Because peakers are only used when renewable power is insufficient to meet consumption, they reduce reliance on fossil fuels while also ensuring continuity of energy supply in times of peak or fluctuating demand.
Under the Government’s Climate Action Plan, Gas Networks Ireland has been directed to provide gas connections for two gigawatts of power generation by 2030. To date, construction has been completed on eight out of 13 peakers in counties Dublin, Roscommon, and Westmeath for customers that have been awarded capacity contracts by the State regulator. The remaining five peaker plants are at design and planning stage with one of these due to go into construction in coming months.
Distribution network: The lifeblood of the system
The majority of Ireland’s 14,758km network is distribution pipeline, where gas is distributed at medium pressure (4 bar) or low pressure (25 to 75 mbar) suitable for end users’ requirements.
As well as completing new connections, Gas Networks Ireland monitors and forecasts gas usage and demand and proactively ‘reinforces’ the network so that existing customers do not experience any problems with supply. In 2025, approximately 7.5km of new distribution pipeline was installed, 1.4km of which was to reinforce the network. The remaining 6.1km was laid for various customer projects, mains alterations and internal refurbishment projects. Gas services were installed for 2,100 new customers spanning domestic dwellings and sites, along with small, medium, and large businesses.
There is also a comprehensive maintenance capital works programme to preserve the integrity of the national gas assets. This can include replacements, refurbishments and upgrades for equipment and infrastructure that needs repair, is at end of life or no longer fit for purpose. Last year, over 76,000 high volume replacements and over 850 individual refurbishment projects were completed. A similar volume of maintenance capital projects is due to be carried out in 2026 at locations right across the country.
