Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government approved and published the 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report, its supporting Annexes and work programme of 28 actions last November. The comprehensive report concludes that Ireland’s future energy will be secure by moving from a fossil fuel-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable energy potential, flexibility and being integrated into Europe’s energy systems.

With regard to gas, the report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections, but Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our gas imports. As a transitional measure, it is necessary to introduce a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve to address security needs in the medium-term, to be used only if a disruption to gas supplies occurs.

Based on preliminary analysis by my Department, it is anticipated that in terms of delivery options, a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve provided through a storage and importation facility, in the form of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, is the most appropriate approach.

As a final part of the review of Ireland’s energy security, my Department, in consultation with Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) are completing a detailed examination of the optimal approach to deliver the emergency gas reserve.