Limerick Chamber welcomes High Court decision on Shannon LNG Project after 'complex' process

LIMERICK CHAMBER has welcomed the High Court’s decision to uphold the planning permission granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála for a 600-megawatt power plant in Ballylongford, Co Kerry. 

Described as a “landmark outcome” by the Chamber, the ruling comes following a lengthy planning and regulatory process. They are now urging expediency on approving plans and bringing forward the long-awaited Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal infrastructure also. 

The Chamber said this decision provides “much needed clarity” on the project, which has been subject to multiple objections and policy scrutiny over the course of several years due to environmental concerns. The upholding now marks a significant step forward for strategic energy infrastructure and storage along the Shannon Estuary.

Welcoming the decision, Chamber CEO, Donnacha Hurley said this follows “what should have been a seamless process” yet turned into a “complex and protracted planning process that was bolstered by misalignment of Irish and EU policy.”

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Mr Hurley said if Ireland is to get serious about tackling energy insecurity, “then we need to ensure a much more efficient planning process for operators,” adding that for the next stages of this project, there must be an “urgent” timeline. 

Also commenting on the news was Seán Golden, Chief Economist and Director of Policy at Limerick Chamber, who noted that they have “continually highlighted” Ireland’s exposure to international energy shocks. 

“Latest figures suggest that Ireland imports almost 80% of its natural gas supply from a single source in Moffat Scotland. It is estimated that our imports of gas will increase to 90% by 2030,” he said, while adding that relying on a single source for supply, as well as the lack of diversity, puts the country at a “serious disadvantage.”

Mr Golden said diversity of supply is one way to mitigate against this issue, along with Liquefied Natural Gas and the opening up of new markets.

“Given the international landscape today it is easy to see how lack of energy diversity can quickly become a national security issue. The EU-wide taxonomy classification highlights Liquefied Natural Gas as a transitional fuel that will allow countries to move away from more emissions heavy fossil fuels as we transition to renewable energy at a greater scale- this High Court decision marks a significant step in Ireland aligning with EU Policy,” Mr Golden concluded. 

The Chamber also highlighted that this decision will help to bolster the country’s energy security.