Case Study: Research Policy Interface Thematic Group
Securing Ireland’s Gas Supplies, 2023
Government of Ireland assess potential risks to Ireland’s natural gas security of supply, to review policy options that may enhance Ireland’s security of gas supply and to present recommendations to the Minister and Government
Academics and Institutional Affiliation:
Sustainability Institute, MaREI, University College Cork
Evidence of policy outcome referencing the role of the research:
Yes, page 9-10 Securing Irelands Gas Supply
Research undertaken that informed or underpinned the policy outcome:
Looking beyond 2030, MaREI Centre of UCC has examined the role of natural gas in the energy transition consistent with Ireland’s carbon budgets up to the period to 2050 across a number of scenarios.
The first scenario ‘High demand’ refers to strong growth in electricity demand and second scenario ‘Lower demand’, refers to high renewable electricity capacity and lower electricity demand growth. While it illustrates there may be varying level of natural gas demand in the early 2030s, a similar pattern is observed in terms of level of gas demand consumed in 2040 and 2050 period.
Natural gas demand sees a significant reduction of between 68-78% from 2030 to 2040, depending on the scenario considered. This demonstrates the significant reduction of natural gas use anticipated, reducing the reliance on imports during this period and its limited role in our energy system as we reach 2040.
UCC MaREI also examined the future of natural gas in Ireland's Energy Transitions consistent with Carbon Budgets using PLEXOS and TIM
SDGs impacted:
SDG 13
