David Kelly takes on CEO role at Gas Networks Ireland

David Kelly was appointed Gas Networks Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer in February 2026 as the organisation marks 50 years in moving Ireland’s energy. As the operator of one of the State’s most critical national infrastructure assets, Gas Networks Ireland sits at the intersection of energy security, affordability and decarbonisation.

Kelly takes the helm as the organisation advances its 10-year strategy, designed to deliver a resilient gas network, support Ireland’s net zero transition and keep customers at the heart of the evolving energy system.

Delivering a resilient gas network

Safety, reliability and security of supply remain the foundation of Gas Networks Ireland’s mission. The organisation operates more than 14,700 km of gas infrastructure, serving over 720,000 customers and supplying approximately 30% of Ireland’s primary energy needs and powering over 40% of electricity generation.

The gas network plays a critical role in supporting electricity grid stability by enabling gas-fired generation and providing flexible backup capacity during periods of low renewable output or system stress.

Ongoing investment in pipeline replacement, digital monitoring systems and predictive maintenance ensures operational excellence across the gas network. In 2026 alone, Gas Networks Ireland is investing more than €230 million in capital infrastructure, strengthening network resilience, modernising critical assets and enhancing system flexibility to meet evolving energy demands. This programme includes the replacement and reinforcement of ageing pipelines, expanded network sensing and real-time monitoring technologies and predictive maintenance tools that enable early fault detection and reduce downtime.

This investment is also critical to supporting Ireland’s electricity system as it integrates increasing levels of renewable generation. Gas-fired power stations, particularly flexible peaking plants, play an essential role in maintaining grid stability by rapidly ramping up generation during periods of peak demand, low wind output or system stress.

Under the Government’s climate action plan, Gas Networks Ireland has been directed to provide gas connections for two gigawatts of power generation by 2030. To date, construction has been completed on eight out of 13 peaking power gen plants in counties Dublin, Roscommon and Westmeath for customers that have been awarded capacity contracts by the State regulator. The remaining five peaker plants are at design and planning stage. 

Alongside physical upgrades, Gas Networks Ireland continues to enhance cyber resilience capabilities and emergency response preparedness, ensuring the gas network remains secure, adaptable and robust in the face of evolving operational and security challenges.

In the event of a disruption to Ireland’s gas supplies, the Government approved the delivery of the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (SGER). This is a State-led project that will provide a temporary natural gas storage facility which was deemed to be critical for Ireland’s energy security while the State continues to transition to renewable energy.

The new gas reserve will be delivered in the form of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), which will be owned and operated on behalf of the State by Gas Networks Ireland. Following a site selection process, which concluded in November 2025, Gas Networks Ireland selected Cahiracon, County Clare along the Shannon Estuary as the location for Ireland’s new Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve.

Enabling the net-zero transition

Gas Networks Ireland is future proofing its network to support Ireland’s transition to renewable energy through the integration of renewable gases such as biomethane now and green hydrogen in the future.

The organisation is already facilitating renewable gas integration and supporting Ireland’s ambition to produce up to 10% of national gas demand from indigenous biomethane by 2030.

Flagship projects such as the central grid injection (CGI) facility in Mitchelstown demonstrate the scalability of biomethane injection and the potential for regional supply chains linking farmers, cooperatives and producers, stimulating rural investment while reducing emissions and supporting the Renewable Heat Obligation.

Gas Networks Ireland is continuing to expand Ireland’s biomethane injection capacity by connecting new anaerobic digestion (AD) plants to the national gas network. Three AD plants are scheduled to be connected in 2026 and, together with the CGI facility in Mitchelstown, will increase Ireland’s biomethane injection capacity to approximately 500 GWh. A further four AD plants have already been contracted and are progressing towards connection, supporting the continued growth of Ireland’s renewable gas sector.

Gas Networks Ireland is also developing a green hydrogen-ready network, piloting hydrogen blending and collaborating with academia and industry through its Innovation Fund. Research initiatives and partnerships are helping prepare Ireland’s energy infrastructure for a multi-gas, low-carbon future.

A customer driven approach

Placing customers at the centre of decision-making remains a core ambition for Gas Networks Ireland, with a growing emphasis on partnership, insight and tailored energy solutions.

Recognising the critical role customers play in Ireland’s decarbonisation journey, Gas Networks Ireland has strengthened its engagement with large energy users and hard-to-abate sectors such as dairy, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing; working strategically with high heat users to understand their operational needs and support their transition to lower-carbon energy.

Gas Networks Ireland also assists customers in navigating complex regulatory and reporting requirements associated with decarbonisation. This includes guidance on EU Emissions Trading System obligations, greenhouse gas monitoring and procurement frameworks, as well as alignment with EU and national climate policies.

Through proactive engagement, data-driven insights and long-term partnership, Gas Networks Ireland is positioning itself not just as the gas network operator, but as a trusted energy transition partner supporting customers on their sustainability journeys.

W: www.gasnetworks.ie/strategy

David Kelly
Chief Executive Officer