Gas Networks Ireland reported a 19 per cent month-on-month rise in overall gas demand in October, as cooler, wetter conditions and the season's first named storm, Storm Amy, boosted heating needs across homes, offices and commercial sites.

Despite the monthly increase, demand was 3 per cent lower than in October last year. Met Éireann's climate statement noted October 2025 was the coolest since 2020, contributing to higher energy use.

Residential consumption saw the sharpest increase, more than doubling (+103 per cent) compared with September. Significant monthly rises were also recorded across large education campuses (+70 per cent), large office complexes (+55 per cent), leisure and sports venues (+49 per cent), hospitals (+30 per cent), retail (+21 per cent) and gas used for electricity generation (+13 per cent).

Gas accounted for 39 per cent of Ireland's electricity generation in October, up from 37 per cent in September but below 42 per cent in October 2024. Wind delivered 36 per cent, broadly in line with September (34 per cent) and October 2024 (35 per cent), though output was highly variable. Solar contributed 2 per cent, down from 4 per cent in September. That variability underscored the system's continuing need for flexible gas-fired back-up.

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Commenting on the latest figures, Edwina Nyhan, Gas Networks Ireland's Director of Strategy and Regulation, said: "October marks the point in the year when energy use can shift very quickly, and this month’s figures reflect that. As temperatures dipped and Storm Amy brought wet and windy weather, households and key sectors turned their heating back on, leading to a strong rise in gas demand. Gas also remained an important back-up for the electricity system, stepping in whenever renewable generation fell away."

Alongside the data, Gas Networks Ireland published its Winter Outlook 2025/26, which confirms no disruption to gas supply is expected this winter. The report said Ireland has sufficient supply sources and network capacity to meet demand under a range of scenarios, including a "1-in-50 winter peak day". It also highlights the State’s ongoing reliance on imports from Britain, with almost 86 per cent of anticipated gas requirements expected to flow via subsea interconnectors.

Ms Nyhan added: "With winter now underway, our Winter Outlook shows that Ireland has the supply sources and network capacity needed to meet demand, including on very cold, calm days when demand is greatest. Gas will continue to provide the flexibility and reliability required to keep homes warm and the lights on over the months ahead."