Planning refusal for Shannon Estuary LNG terminal overturned by High Court

The High Court has reversed a ruling by An Bord Pleánala to refuse planning permission for the construction of a €650 million Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal on the Shannon Estuary.

Shannon LNG had been seeking permission for the €650m development, including a 600 megawatt power plant and LNG terminal at the site on the estuary near Tarbert in North Kerry.

In 2023, An Bord Pleanála said it would be inappropriate to permit or proceed with the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland pending the review of energy supply.

The High Court overturned the decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission this Monday, September 30.

The development follows a judicial review application by Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of the US-based New Fortress Energy company, reports RTE.

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The multi-million euro project can now be remitted - or resubmitted - to An Bord Pleanála for fresh adjudication.

Minister of State Niall Collins said the decision is welcome as it means that Shannon LNG have another chance at securing a 10-year permission for a floating storage and re-gasification unit, as well as a 600MW power station.

"The decision to overturn the ruling refusing permission for the construction of a floating LNG terminal in the Shannon Estuary marks a step forward for our energy security needs.

"An Bord Pleánala's decision in 2023 was based on a consultation document as opposed to a formal State directive or undertaking,” said Mr Collins.

He said there is a need for a floating LNG terminal to ensure security of our energy into the future.

"In recent years we have been at risk of electricity blackouts. Just last year, Eirgrid's winter outlook warned that such blackouts were possible as the balance between supply and demand is still tight.

"Energy security has to be at the top of our agenda. We need to guard against events such as extreme weather events, political instability, or disruption of gas supplies from the UK or Norway.”

Mr Collins continued: "I recognise the important role that renewables will play in our energy policy, particularly the role of offshore wind, but a floating LNG facility is sorely needed as a backup.

"Such an LNG facility can be future-proofed and can be conditioned against the use of fracked gas.

"My hope is that Shannon LNG submits its application to build this much needed facility on the Tarbert-Ballylongford landbank and that it gains approval as quickly as possible."

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