Gas Networks Ireland outlines plan to decarbonise gas network by 2045

Ireland’s gas network operator Gas Networks Ireland has set out plans to deliver a repurposed, resized and fully decarbonised gas network by 2045.

The basis of the plan is to repurpose the existing gas network into two networks to transport 100% renewable gas, one dedicated to biomethane accounting for about one-third of the gas on the network and the other to hydrogen accounting for the remainder.

In addition to supplying renewable gas to the nation, the proposal presents what are considered as key long term export opportunities for these commodities.

“The repurposing of the gas network will be key to the delivery of Ireland’s climate objectives while ensuring security of energy supply is maintained and economic growth is protected,” said Gas Networks Ireland’s CEO, Cathal Marley, at the launch of the plan.

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“While achieving this network transformation has a number of dependencies including the availability of renewable gases and supportive energy policies, Gas Networks Ireland is committed to transitioning the network to exclusively transport renewable gases such as biomethane and hydrogen, ensuring a fully decarbonised energy system by 2045.”

Four phase plan

The plan is proposed for delivery in four distinct phases, starting with the ‘foundation phase’, which is already under way and set to run until the end of 2027.

In this phase, which is focused on readying the gas network to transport renewable gases, new anaerobic digestion plants are being directly connected to the gas network and work is set to begin this year on the construction of the central grid injection facility at Mitchelstown in southern Ireland.

The ‘development phase’ follows from 2028 to 2032, when Gas Networks Ireland proposes to concentrate on enabling and facilitating the industry to connect increasing volumes of renewable gas to the network.

One of the main goals during this period will be to achieve the national biomethane target of 5.7TWh by 2030, as well as commencing hydrogen blending and developing initial hydrogen clusters.

At the end of this phase, it is estimated that the gas from renewable sources on Ireland’s network will be 14% biomethane and 3% hydrogen.

During the ‘repositioning phase’ from 2033 to 2040, as green hydrogen volumes available to connect to the gas network continue to grow, the company’s focus should turn to more wholesale gas network repurposing and hydrogen clustering.

By the end of 2040, Ireland’s gas network will be prepared for full repurposing to transport renewable gases only. It is also expected that almost half the gas on the network will be hydrogen and over one-third biomethane with natural gas make up just a sixth of the total gas at this point.

Finally, in the ‘conversion phase’ running from 2041 to 2045, sustainable biomethane production has scaled to levels that would support a dedicated network.

The national gas network will then be split into two distinct renewable gas networks, the larger national hydrogen network and smaller regional biomethane network, and meet national gas needs sustainably with no natural gas on the network, states Gas Networks Ireland.