Natural gas exports from the Republic have entered the British supply chain for the first time, according to data from the British system operator, National Grid.

The first flows via the interconnector pipeline that connects the British system at Moffat in Scotland were recorded in late March.

A peak daily flow of 2.4 million cubic metres was recorded on April 30th.

The interconnector is configured only to allow gas run from Britain to Ireland. However, exporters are able to nominate virtual reverse flows on the pipeline.

The gas is not physically sent to Britain but subtracted from the gas flowing into the Republic.

Hence the exports are only possible when sufficient gas is flowing into Ireland.