Ireland Eyes Fracked Gas Import Deal for Emergency LNG Terminal
The government is considering importing fracked gas from New Mexico to fuel an emergency LNG terminal in Co Clare. The proposal comes as Ireland struggles to meet its energy needs, with almost 80% of its natural gas coming from the UK. The Shannon LNG project, set to come online in 2030, aims to provide a reserve in case of a major disruption to those pipelines.
New Mexico's governor Michelle Lujan Grisham led a delegation that met with Minister for Energy Darragh O'Brien and others last week. They discussed the possibility of establishing a long-term supply relationship between Ireland and New Mexico, which is home to two large shale gasfields. Fracking has been banned in most countries, including Ireland, due to its environmental impact.
The government's stance on importing fracked gas has shifted in recent years. In 2021, the ban on imports was pending a review of energy security, and last year it was overturned as part of a national risk assessment. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment confirmed that the policy statement on importation no longer remains in place.