Gas demand stable in 2020 despite uncertainty Updated / Monday, 8 Feb 2021 07:23 Overall gas demand fell by a very marginal 0.3% last year, Gas Networks Ireland said The effect of Covid-19 restrictions on economic activity in certain sectors was reflected in a marked reduction in gas consumption in those sectors last year. According to the 2020 Gas Demand Statement from Gas Networks Ireland, there was a reduction in gas usage of over a third on areas such as leisure and laundry. Gas consumption in construction and travel was down by a quarter, while in the hotel industry it was down by just over 10%. However, the reduction in these areas was made up for by a surge in demand for gas in areas of the economy that supported the shift to remote working and business being conducted online, as well as healthcare.