Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Limerick County TD Niall Collins, has welcomed the granting by An Bord Pleanála of planning permission to Shannon LNG Limited for a power plant, with a total installed capacity of 600 megawatts.
Shannon LNG has received planning permission to construct a power plant, battery energy storage system and a re-gasification unit, on a 630-acre site between Tarbert and Ballylongford in Co Kerry.
Minister Collins said: “I welcome the granting of planning permission by An Bord Pleanála to Shannon LNG for their plans to construct a power plant, battery energy storage system and a re-gasification unit at the Shannon Estuary site.
"This facility would contribute to the resilience of our national energy supply network, which is of huge importance due to the changed international context and sudden events such as storms.
"The electricity produced at the facility will be used as a back up to renewable energy only, helping us to guard against any interruption to our national energy supply.
“Energy security needs to remain near the top of our agenda."
Concluding, Minister Collins said: "This granting of planning permission by An Bord Pleanála follows on from the recent decision by Government to develop a floating State-led LNG terminal at a coastal location.
"The decision highlights the benefits of the Shannon Estuary as a location for energy security facilities as Gas Networks Ireland continues its work to identify a location for its terminal.
"The priority for Government in delivering this strategic gas reserve is to minimise the cost, and all options should be on the table to ensure that it is developed quickly and at a minimal cost to consumers."
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