Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,617km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern gas networks in Europe.
Over 706,000 homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide affordable and reliable energy to meet their heating and cooking needs. The gas network is a vital national asset and is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 31% of Ireland’s total energy, including 40% of all heating and over 52% of the country’s electricity generation.
In 2020, gas demand for electricity generation ranged between 25% and almost 90%. When the wind didn’t blow and the sun didn’t shine, the national gas network was there to ensure the lights stayed on and our devices were powered. At times, wind and solar generated as little as 1% of the country’s electricity, meaning essential services and health facilities relied on the security of gas-generated electricity.
Emitting significantly less CO2 than coal and oil, natural gas has played an important role in reducing Ireland’s energy emissions since the 1970s, and the ever-reliable power behind Ireland’s electricity generation will continue to play an integral role in the country’s transition to a low carbon economy.
Gas is particularly important for many Irish industries, delivering the high intensity heat that many processes require. Businesses know they can depend on the gas network’s reliability and flexibility.
As an energy source, natural gas is of strategic importance to Ireland, facilitating job creation and economic growth. However, while natural gas is the cleanest conventional fuel, Ireland must transition to more sustainable alternatives to meet its climate action targets.
Our ambition is for a net-zero carbon gas network by 2050 and to support emissions reductions across every sector of the Irish economy, in the least cost, least disruptive, most safe and secure manner.
New technologies such as compressed natural gas and renewable gases, including biomethane and hydrogen, can all play a part in helping decarbonise Ireland’s economy, and we are working to make this possible.
By replacing natural gas with renewable gases and complementing intermittent renewable electricity, we are supporting Ireland’s journey to a cleaner energy future.
Transitioning to a clean energy economy by 2050 requires a balance between sustainability, security and affordability. Leveraging existing energy assets and capabilities will enable Ireland to reach its targets effectively. The national gas network is ready to play its role a delivering a cleaner energy future.
Total number of employees
44 Temporary
Contract (perm/temp)
505 Permanent
15 Part Time
Type (full time/part time)
534 Full Time
155 Female
Gender
394 Male
Region
We worked closely with our subcontractors Balfour Beatty CLG (BBCLG) who throughout 2020 provided response, maintenance and constructions services. BBCLG’s 330 employees work to the highest standards of quality and safety. The Networks Services Works Contract (NSWC) covers the following activities for the whole of Ireland;
- Distribution construction
- Distribution and telecom maintenance
- Site works
- Steel skid services
- Meter reading
- Network maintenance
- Transmission construction
- Reinstatement
There are no significant variations in the above disclosures and all data was compiled using internal data management systems.
Supply chain
The three pillars of our supply chain objectives

Secure value-for-money

Ensure compliance with all legal and governance requirements

Minimise risk for our business
The key elements of our supply chain process
Procurement Strategy Setting
Vision Mission Core Values
Operating Model
Category Strategic Planning
Performance Management
Sourcing and category management
Strategic sourcing
Category policy setting
Category management framework
Compliance monitoring
Supplier management
Supplier performance
Management
Contract management
Supplier integration
Supplier development
Supplier relationship management
Requisition to pay
Transaction processing
Assisted buying
Master data management
Fulfilment
Our supply chain in numbers
2020 | Category suppliers | Capital suppliers | Transaction services suppliers | Unique suppliers total |
Republic of Ireland | 124 | 6 | 18 | 146 |
United Kingdom | 18 | 1 | 2 | 21 |
Northern Ireland | 9 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
No significant changes have been made to our organisation or supply chain in 2020.
We manage, monitor and report on principal risks and uncertainties that could impact our ability to deliver our strategic ambitions. The system of risk management and policy is well established and is consistently operated across the organisation. Our priority is to understand the risk environment, identify the specific risks and assess the potential exposure.
For more information, please see our risk management section.