Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2025
142. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide details of the effect that the proposed liquid natural gas terminal at Shannon will have on attaining the legally binding emissions targets within the set out timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70080/25]
View answerEarlier this year Government approved the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland's energy security as we transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulations. The strategic reserve will be in the form of a Floating Storage and Regassification Unit (FSRU), to be owned on behalf of the State by the system operator Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), and will be located in Cahiracon, Co. Clare, along the Shannon estuary.
The strategic gas emergency reserve is not intended for commercial use. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be held in reserve for use in the event of a significant disruption to gas supplies and will be divested when no longer required to secure Ireland's energy systems. The State-led, temporary nature of the reserve ensures that the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets is reduced, that the reserve will be used for emergency use only, and that it does not support increased gas demand with a view to minimising impacts on greenhouse gas emissions.
Government remains committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and has greatly boosted the share of variable renewables in our increasingly electrified energy system. This, however, means greater reliance on gas to provide sufficient flexibility and backup for secure electricity supplies at times of low renewable output.
My Department is developing the appropriate policy and legislative measures to ensure that the strategic reserve provides resilience to our energy system in a manner that is compatible with Ireland's legally binding 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, as outlined in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021.
