Gas Networks Ireland will invest €200 million in upgrading compressor stations at Beattock and Brighouse Bay in Scotland, a move the company says will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 42%, according to an announcement made Thursday.
The investment will involve replacing existing equipment with electric motor drives, a change intended to both lower emissions and improve the capacity and resilience of the gas infrastructure, particularly given current volatility in energy markets, said David Kelly, Chief Executive of Gas Networks Ireland, in an interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland program.
Ireland relies heavily on gas imports from the United Kingdom, receiving approximately 80% of its natural gas requirements via the UK, with the remainder sourced from the Corrib gas field and domestically produced biomethane. According to Kelly, two-thirds of the imported gas is then used for electricity production, which currently accounts for half of Ireland’s total electricity supply.
Whereas the project is expected to significantly reduce Gas Networks Ireland’s carbon footprint, the company clarified that it has limited influence over overall gas pricing for consumers. Kelly stated that Gas Networks Ireland’s role in the pricing regime is “minimal,” and that supply companies and retailers are primarily responsible for setting prices, with affordability being a “massive issue.”
The upgrades are also intended to bolster the security of gas supply to Ireland, with Kelly noting the UK’s strong interconnection with European energy networks via the North Sea and Norway. He indicated that the UK has assured Gas Networks Ireland that security of supply remains robust.
Operate on the project is contingent on receiving the necessary consents, and, if approved, the upgraded system is expected to be operational by 2030. The investment comes as Ireland and France are developing the Celtic Interconnector, a 700 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine power cable intended to link the electricity grids of the two countries, with commissioning expected in spring 2028. Laying of the undersea portion of the cable began in August 2025, running from Knockraha, Ireland, to La Martyre, France.
The Celtic Interconnector and other interconnectors with the UK, are designed to enhance energy security by diversifying electricity supply and allowing for the import and export of power as needed, particularly leveraging Ireland’s wind energy resources. The UK energy regulator, Ofgem, recently approved two additional interconnector projects, signaling a continued investment in grid connectivity.
