LATEST: Major energy project for Clare as new Shannon Estuary site selected

Gas Networks Ireland has confirmed that Cahiracon, along the Shannon Estuary in Co. Clare, has been selected as the site for a major new State energy project.

The Clare site was selected after a comprehensive evaluation of technical, environmental and planning criteria.

The project will deliver Ireland’s new Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve, a State-led facility designed to protect the country’s energy supply in the event of a major disruption.

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Approved by the government in March, the delivery of the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve as it is critical for Ireland’s energy security while the State continues to transition to renewable energy.

The new gas reserve will be delivered in the form of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), which will be owned and operated on behalf of the State by Gas Networks Ireland.

Initially, 14 possible coastal sites were considered as potential locations for the strategic gas emergency reserve.

In recent months, Gas Networks Ireland’s team of engineers and consultants undertook detailed site assessments at locations in Cork Harbour and the Shannon Estuary.

Each site was evaluated against four specific criteria - technical, environmental, financial and planning.

Following this comprehensive multi-criteria and cost-benefit analysis, plus its associated pipe route corridor, the site at Cahiracon was selected.

The multi-acre site in Cahiracon will be developed to include a deep-water jetty for a floating storage regasification unit (FRSU), an onshore facility, and a new connection to the national gas network.

Bobby Gleeson, Chief Operating Officer of Gas Networks Ireland, said: "This is a very significant milestone in the delivery of Ireland's Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve."

 “Our teams have been working on detailed assessments of each of the possible locations, and following a rigorous process, they have identified Cahiracon in Co. Clare as best suited to meet the project requirements.”

He added: "“We will be keeping local stakeholders updated and informed throughout this process."

Gas Networks Ireland representatives will immediately begin engaging with members of the local community to inform them further about the project and to explain the next steps.

A public information event on this new announcement will be held in the local community centre in Kildysart on November 27 from 4 pm until 7:30 pm.

Ireland currently relies on Britain for about 80% of its natural gas, leaving the country vulnerable to major disruptions that could severely affect electricity generation and home heating.

Gas remains central to Ireland’s energy system, providing roughly 30% of primary energy, over 40% of electricity on average, and up to 80% at peak demand.

To reduce this risk, Ireland plans to develop a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve using a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU).

This specialised vessel stores liquefied natural gas (LNG) at very low temperatures and converts it back into natural gas when needed.

Stationed at a jetty in Cahiracon, the FSRU will be able to feed gas directly into the national network and can be continually resupplied by sea during a supply crisis. FSRUs are a proven, widely used technology, with more than 50 operating globally.

As natural gas continues to serve as a crucial backup to intermittent renewable energy, the reserve offers important protection during Ireland’s energy transition.

Once the country is no longer at risk of gas supply disruptions, the FSRU can depart, leaving the State-owned jetty and onshore facilities available for future alternative uses.