Ireland needs to ‘grow up’ and accept LNG will be needed during transition to green energy, TDs told

Ireland needs to “grow up” and accept that liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be needed during the transition to green energy, according to a company that wants to develop a floating terminal for the controversial fuel off the south coast.

Mag Mell Energy has proposed a project involving floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) using the old Kinsale gasfield pipeline. FSRUs are large ships that can store LNG and convert it from liquid to gas and can link up with gas pipelines at ports.

There has been a reluctance in Government, predominantly Green Party-led, to embrace LNG due to concerns that some of the gas is extracted through the environmentally-damaging practice of fracking. The Government’s policy on fracked gas sets out how, pending the outcome of a review of Ireland’s energy security “it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland”.

Last month the consultants conducting the review set out options for improving Ireland’s energy security and its findings are currently out for public consultation. They concluded that the strategic leasing by the State of a floating LNG terminal should be an option for consideration by Government. However, they advised against a FSRU that is commercially operated as it may result in the importation of fracked gas into Ireland and could impact on Ireland’s targets for cutting carbon emissions.

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In a briefing organised by Cork-South West TD Michael Collins, a member of the Rural Independents Group, Mag Mell Energy’s chief executive Mr Griffiths outlined his company’s project to a number of Oireachtas members and staff.

Mr Griffiths said other European countries were “clamouring” for FSRU’s amid the energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He said there was no short-term fix to the energy supply issues, but his project – which he said would use non-fracked LNG – could be delivered in 2025.

Mr Griffiths argued that EU guidance is for LNG and gas storage to be part of the solution to maintaining security of supply. He noted Ireland’s gas connections to Britain, and said there was a risk to security of supply. “Ireland needs to, in my view, grow up and accept that some LNG and gas storage is going to be required for the energy transition until green energy can replace it,” he said.

Environmental campaigner Angela Deegan – representing the Not Here, Not Anywhere group seeking a fossil fuel-free future – highlighted how the energy security review rejected commercially-operated floating LNG terminals as an option.

She said she did not know how Mr Griffiths could guarantee the LNG used by his project was not fracked. She also said that LNG caused 20 per cent more greenhouse gas emissions than other forms of gas due to the liquification process and means of transport.

Mr Griffiths disputed the findings of the energy security review and argued that it was “out of date”, while also saying the industry had made progress in lowering emissions.

A Department of the Environment spokesman said it is seeking feedback on all of the options set out in the energy security review.

The deadline for people to take part in the consultation is Friday, October 28th.

“The Department has met with Mag Mell Energy and understands the proposed concept,” he said. “All responses and submission received, as part of the consultation, will be given careful consideration.”

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan is to bring his security of energy supply recommendations to Government once the review process has been completed.