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Irish Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
State utility firms told Minister chief executive pay limits posed ‘serious risks' to organisations
The chairs of the boards of Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), Uisce Éireann and the Land Development Agency warned last year that restrictions on pay for their chief executives posed 'real and serious risks' to the organisations. In a note to the Senior Posts Remuneration Committee, established last year, Department of Housing secretary general Graham Doyle said the boards of GNI and Uisce Éireann had also expressed 'serious concerns ... about the potential loss of the CEO at a critical time for both companies'. According to submissions sent by the department to the Government-appointed review body said the chairs of the two utility firms' boards had written to then minister for housing Darragh O'Brien about chief executive pay. This correspondence was copied to the then minister for public expenditure Paschal Donohoe , who had established the committee in March 2024 to advise on pay scales for senior public-sector jobs. READ MORE 'Attempts to improve the remuneration level have failed', the Department of Housing said in the document. It said the chief executives of Uisce Éireann and GNI had a base salary that was fixed at €225,000 with no provision for increments or indexation. [ ESB board had 'significant concern' that €318,000 salary was not sufficient for chief executive post Opens in new window ] It said within Uisce Éireann and GNI the senior management teams were entitled to performance-related awards. However, the chief executive was excluded from such payments. 'In Uisce Éireann, there are nine employees in the same band as the CEO (€225,001 to €250,000) and two employees in the final band of €250,001 to €275,000 (ie above the level of remuneration of the CEO). Currently, there are a number of executives in Uisce Éireann whose salaries are capped based on the approved headroom. This presents difficulties for key roles and for succession planning. Two executives left Uisce Éireann over the past 12 months.' It said in GNI there were also two employees paid more than the chief executive and that two executives had left the company over the previous year. Mr Doyle said when the chairs had contacted the minister 'in each case the argument has been put forward that the current constraints which exist in respect of pay pose very real and serious risks to the work of these three vitally important commercial State bodies, which are delivering critical infrastructure on behalf of the State and its citizens while, at the same time contributing to the wider economy.' He said the chairs had set out the challenges of recruiting and retaining high-calibre candidates. 'It is noted, for example, that in some cases the remuneration has remained unchanged at levels approved in early 2017, that the posts are time bound at five or seven years with no opportunity for renewal or for reappointment to any other position within the company, that taking up the position can involve the surrendering of an existing (often permanent) contract to the time-bound contract and the loss of a performance-related award, and finally, that the amount of time it can take an individual to secure employment at the end of time-bound period can, in itself, shorten the length of the actual term served.' Last month following the report of the review group, the Government signalled it would update rules to allow a 'market rate' to be paid to chief executives in commercial State companies.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Demand for gas fell across several sectors last month due to spell of warmer weather
Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) predicts a 4pc decrease in gas demand this summer compared with last year. It also forecasted that with temperatures expected to rise further over the next few months, there will probably be an increase in renewable electricity generation, displacing some gas-based power generation. Despite overall demand falling by 12pc, gas produced close to half of Ireland's electricity last month, according to GNI. A recent gas demand statement from GNI shows that, while demand fell, gas continued to play a central role in electricity generation. Gas accounted for 42pc of Ireland's power, up from 39pc in the previous month. Wind energy generated 28pc of electricity in the same period. GNI director of strategy and regulation Edwina Nyhan said gas offered stability to the national grid. 'While warmer weather naturally led to a seasonal drop in overall gas demand in April, gas continued to provide the consistent back-up needed to keep Ireland's electricity system running reliably,' she said. 'With wind generation fluctuating widely throughout the month, gas stepped in as needed to maintain stability and security of supply. 'Our summer outlook forecasts similar trends, with gas continuing to play a leading role in electricity generation and in decarbonising the transport sector. Gas remains central to our energy system – today and into the future.' GNI published its summer outlook – forecasting a decrease in total gas demand compared with last summer. It said it indicated an increase in renewable generation for the summer ahead, displacing some gas-fired power generation. The outlook also said Ireland will remain heavily dependent on the UK for gas imports. It also predicts gas demand in transport will grow by 11pc in line with decarbonisation efforts around commercial transport. Last month the demand for gas in transport increased by 76pc year-on-year. GNI said that reflected a growing shift towards lower emission fuel sources such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable BioCNG. The organisation also noted that between April 7 and April 10, gas produced 66pc of Ireland's electricity, peaking at 74pc.
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Gas produced 42% of the country's power in April
New figures show that overall gas demand fell by 12% in April compared to March, but gas continued to play a central role in electricity generation and produced 42% of the country's power. Gas Networks Ireland's latest gas demand statement shows that despite the overall drop in demand, the contribution from gas to electricity generation increased from 39% in March to 42% in April. Wind energy generated 28% of electricity during the month. Gas Networks Ireland noted that April was warm and sunny with record breaking daily temperatures, which contributed to a fall in gas demand across several sectors. Month-on-month gas demand declined significantly in education (down 25%), retail (down 24%), offices (down 24%) and leisure/sport (down 23%). Today's figures show that between April 7 and 10, gas produced 66% of the country's electricity - peaking at 74% and never falling below 50%. Wind contributed just 7%. Meanwhile, the demand for gas in transport increased by 76% in April compared to last year, reflecting a growing shift toward lower emission fuel sources including compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable BioCNG. Gas Networks Ireland also published its Summer Outlook 2025 today, which has forecast a 4% decrease in total gas demand compared to summer 2024. It said this is mainly due to an expected 7% reduction in demand from electricity generation, as forecasts indicate an increase in renewable generation for the summer ahead, displacing some gas-fired power generation. Demand for gas in transport is projected to grow by 11%, with biomethane expected to meet a significant share of this demand. The outlook also shows that Ireland remains heavily dependent on gas imports from the UK, with 76% of supply expected to enter the network via the Moffat entry point in Scotland. The Corrib gas field is forecast to meet just over 23% of demand. Gas Networks Ireland's Director of Strategy and Regulation Edwina Nyhan said that while warmer weather naturally led to a seasonal drop in overall gas demand in April, gas continued to provide the consistent backup needed to keep Ireland's electricity system running reliably. "With wind generation fluctuating widely throughout the month, gas stepped in as needed to maintain stability and security of supply," she stated. She said the summer outlook forecasts similar trends, with gas continuing to play a leading role in electricity generation and in decarbonising the transport sector. "Gas remains central to our energy system - today and into the future. Gas Networks Ireland continues to support the transition to a low carbon energy system by enabling the development of renewable gas, maintaining security of supply and delivering a net zero carbon gas network," Ms Nyhan added.
Irish Examiner
17-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Biodiversity conservation in action at Gas Networks Ireland
Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland's €3bn, 14,758km national gas network, one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready networks. By replacing natural gas with renewable gases like biomethane and green hydrogen, and supporting renewable electricity, Gas Networks Ireland is supporting the Irish Government's ambitious climate and energy targets to successfully transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. Commitment to Biodiversity and Sustainability We at Gas Networks Ireland are committed to promoting sustainability across our business and in the communities where we operate. Since 2012, we have held the Business Working Responsibly Mark which is an independently audited standard for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability in Ireland. In 2024, we were delighted to be appointed as a 2024/2025 champion of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. As an Irish SDG champion, Gas Networks Ireland is committed to raising awareness about the importance of the SDGs. We have supported all 17 goals since they were first adopted, but we have aligned our business strategy to the six specific SDGs most relevant to our activities. As an SDG champion, we will act as an advocate and role model for the application of the SDGs in our business activities. Through our actions, we will demonstrate that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Gas Networks Ireland has supported all 17 Sustainable Development Goals since they were first adopted. GNI has also aligned its business strategy to the six specific SDGs most relevant to the company's activities. Actions for Biodiversity In 2019, at Ireland's first National Biodiversity Conference, Gas Networks Ireland signed the government's biodiversity 'Seeds for Nature' Charter, committing to managing all gas infrastructure and sites (in Ireland and Scotland) according to Biodiversity Best Practice and aiming for a Net Gain impact by 2025. We are also members of Business for Biodiversity Ireland and partners of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, supporting Ireland's National Biodiversity Action Plan. To demonstrate our progress towards meeting our 2025 commitments, we are currently undergoing an independent audit of our biodiversity actions since making our commitments back in 2019. Our Biodiversity Action Plan outlines actions to achieve our biodiversity commitments. Some of the actions taken to date include developing and implementing a suite of innovative biodiversity tools to support our people and business partners. We have developed bespoke Landscaping for Biodiversity Guidelines for our gas sites ensuring our asset landscaping is managed from the design of our assets, to construction to maintenance. While tree felling is avoided where possible, it is sometimes necessary for safety or operational reasons. We implemented a Tree Felling and Hedge Cutting Permit to support the responsible management of the tree felling and hedge cutting process. To help determine the number of trees required to offset the tree removal, we developed a Carbon Tree Calculator Tool to estimate the carbon sequestration potential over 20 to 60 years. The tool ensures only native Irish trees are considered when replanting. In 2024, we developed the Compensatory Habitat Design Tool, which measures and calculates the impact of construction projects on biodiversity. By determining the impact of the project on biodiversity, we can ensure that any loss of biodiversity is mitigated against, leading to no net loss or net gain of biodiversity in a measurable and scientific manner. Conserving Biodiversity Through Site Management Gas Networks Ireland has conducted baseline biodiversity surveys of 54 of our gas sites across Ireland and Scotland, creating biodiversity plans for these locations. Gas Networks Ireland has developed bespoke 'Landscaping for Biodiversity Guidelines' for its gas sites, ensuring all asset landscaping is managed to optimise the protection of biodiversity. We have carried out ecological rehabilitation projects on several of these sites which include removing non-native species and planting native vegetation, creating ponds, log piles, bee banks, and tree planting. In 2024, our efforts at the Grange gas site in East Cork were recognized by the Environmental Forum. That year, we planted 5,437 trees on our assets and in communities. We have also reduced grass cutting on our sites to enhance habitats for pollinators, resulting in the appearance of rare bee orchids at our National Services Centre in Dublin and the red-listed round-leaved crane's bill at our Cork headquarters. We also promote 'No mow May' annually with staff and business partners. Promoting Biodiversity Awareness Gas Networks Ireland supports conservation groups such as Swift Conservation Ireland, and hosts biodiversity-related events annually for staff and their families and in the community, to support the areas we operate in and to raise awareness of how we can all help in the biodiversity crisis. For example, we have held Bat Walk events for staff and their families to learn about our native bat species and use specialist tools to see and hear the bats on our gas sites. Invasive Species Removal We take a proactive approach to identifying, controlling and removing high-risk invasive species across our network of assets. Our teams receive training on how to spot and report invasive species, and we work with specialists to ensure safe and effective treatment methods. As the control of invasive species is an ongoing effort, for our part we ensure that there is monitoring, follow-up treatment, and ongoing awareness for any removal efforts.
Agriland
02-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Research: Reusing gas pipelines essential to biomethane supply
The co-chair of the Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) biomethane working group, Padraig Fleming has presented an EU wide study on the role of biomethane in decarbonising the European energy system in Brussels this week. The study demonstrates the vital role that Europe's existing gas infrastructure, pipelines and underground storage, will play in scaling up biomethane, a renewable gas derived from organic waste, to help meet the EU's climate goals. It is projected that up to 101 billion cubic meters of biomethane production across the EU by 2040. This is the equivalent to 20 times Ireland's annual gas demand. The study concludes that reusing existing gas pipelines and infrastructure will be essential to connect biomethane supply, often in rural areas, with demand centres in towns and cities, while also balancing seasonal demand peaks. Gas Networks Ireland's Padraig Fleming presented the study's findings and moderated a panel discussion featuring senior EU policymakers and energy leaders. He said: 'This study confirms what we in Ireland have long believed, that biomethane is not only key for decarbonisation, but also an opportunity to revitalise rural economies, strengthen our energy independence and make use of the infrastructure we already have. 'Ireland's €3bn, 14,725km national gas network, is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in Europe.' 'Biomethane offers a homegrown, sustainable energy source that can strengthen energy security, boost energy sovereignty and deliver significant emissions reductions, particularly in agriculture and heating,' Fleming added. Fleming also believes that raising awareness of biomethane's environmental and economic benefits within rural and farming communities, will be vital to building support and accelerating adoption. Biomethane According to Fleming, in order to unlock biomethane's potential, the EU must address a number of key barriers. This includes establishing a level playing field for biomethane among renewable energy sources, with long-term support schemes and regulatory stability. 'We also need an EU-wide certification scheme for cross-border renewable gas trade and a fair regulatory framework for renewable gas technologies and connections,' Fleming said. Gas Networks Ireland said it is working to transform the national gas network to operate on 100% renewable gases by 2045.
