Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the gas storage capacity that Ireland currently has; the attempts, if any, that he has undertaken to arrange for gas storage in another country for the State’s use in the event of a gas shortage; if he will provide a list of such countries and the dates on which engagements took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40799/22]
View answerIreland has been engaging with other Member States on energy security through the formal EU bodies including the European Energy Council, the Gas Coordination Group and the Electricity Coordination Group. The Commission has recently established the North West Europe Regional Taskforce which Ireland also participates in. The remit of these meetings is wider than gas storage and covers both gas and electricity security of supply.
Ireland imports around three quarters of its natural gas from the UK with the remainder from the Corrib field. The UK has a diverse supply of gas including indigenous UK gas, Norwegian gas, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in the UK, gas storage and via interconnectors with Belgium and the Netherlands. Ireland current does not have any gas storage or LNG facilities in our jurisdiction.
As set out in the National Energy Security Framework published in April 2022, my Department is carrying out a review of the energy security of Ireland's gas and electricity systems. The review includes identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of potential options including the need for additional capacity to import energy, energy storage, fuel diversification and renewable gases (such as hydrogen) that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050.
The completion of the review is scheduled for delivery in Q3 of this year, following which the results will be brought to Government for its consideration, including consideration of gas storage.
