Ireland is seriously considering importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced from fracked US gasfields to supply a planned emergency reserve in Co Clare. The proposal marks a significant shift in the country’s energy debate because Ireland previously prohibited the importation of fracked gas while pursuing a lower-carbon energy transition.
What is happening in Ireland’s energy sector?
A senior delegation from New Mexico met Ireland’s Minister for Energy Darragh O’Brien, junior minister Neale Richmond and Gas Networks Ireland chief executive David Kelly last week. Discussions included the possibility of establishing a long-term supply arrangement for LNG from the US state.
The proposed facility at Cahiracon on the Shannon estuary, commonly referred to as the Shannon LNG project, is intended to provide an emergency gas reserve. It is expected to become operational in 2030 and would be used if a major interruption affected the gas pipelines connecting Ireland with the United Kingdom.
- Ireland receives almost 80 per cent of its natural gas needs through UK-linked infrastructure.
- The proposed Clare facility would use a floating storage and regasification unit.
- The emergency system is designed to hold enough gas for roughly seven days of national demand.
- Gas procurement is expected to take place through an open public tender.
Why Ireland needs an LNG emergency reserve
Ireland remains heavily dependent on imported natural gas and is one of six EU member states without an emergency gas reserve. A disruption to pipeline supplies could affect electricity generation, heating and essential services because gas remains an important part of the national energy system.
The planned floating storage and regasification unit, or FSRU, would store LNG in liquid form before converting it back into gas for delivery to the national network. Gas Networks Ireland has said the facility could hold sufficient fuel to power the State for seven days, or provide energy for about 200,000 homes for six months, depending on demand and operating conditions.
The reserve is designed as a contingency measure rather than a replacement for renewable energy. Its purpose would be to strengthen resilience during a severe supply interruption while Ireland continues developing wind, grid and other low-carbon infrastructure.
Why fracked gas is controversial
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, involves injecting fluid at high pressure into shale rock to release trapped natural gas. The technique has expanded production in parts of the United States but remains controversial because of concerns about environmental damage, emissions and its compatibility with climate policy.
Ireland prohibited fracking within the State in 2017. In 2021, the Government also introduced a policy preventing the importation of fracked gas while it reviewed wider energy-security questions.
That import policy was later overturned after the Government approved the FSRU project. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has confirmed that the previous policy statement no longer applies. This means LNG produced using hydraulic fracturing could be considered, although no specific supply contract has been announced.
What officials have said about US LNG
The Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico said discussions with Irish officials focused on creating a long-term supply relationship as Ireland’s domestic gas production declines. The organisation presented New Mexico as a potential supplier because the state contains major shale formations, including the San Juan Basin and the Permian Basin, which extends into Texas.
However, government departments and Gas Networks Ireland have stressed that future LNG supplies will be sourced through an open global-market procurement process. That approach means any eligible supplier could compete for a contract, rather than the New Mexico discussions automatically creating an agreement.
No final decision on the origin of LNG has been confirmed. The question of whether a particular cargo is produced from fracked gas would depend on procurement rules, supply-chain information and the conditions attached to any eventual contract.
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Timeline of Ireland’s fracked-gas policy
- 2017: Ireland bans fracking within the State.
- 2021: The Government bans imports of fracked gas pending an energy-security review.
- 2023: A national energy-security risk assessment highlights the absence of an emergency gas reserve.
- 2025: The Government approves the FSRU emergency facility and overturns the importation policy.
- 2026: Irish and New Mexico officials discuss a possible LNG supply relationship.
- 2030: The Clare emergency terminal is due to come on stream.
What happens next?
The immediate next step is the development of the procurement process for replenishing the FSRU. Gas Networks Ireland and the Government will need to establish the tender’s technical, commercial and regulatory requirements before suppliers can be selected.
The proposal is also likely to attract scrutiny from environmental groups, opposition parties and communities near the Shannon estuary. Key issues may include the climate impact of imported LNG, the treatment of fracked gas, the cost to consumers and the role of fossil fuels in Ireland’s long-term energy strategy.
Until a tender is completed, it is not possible to say whether LNG from New Mexico will supply the reserve. The confirmed position is that the Government is considering global LNG supplies and that the former national policy banning imported fracked gas is no longer in force.
Frequently asked questions
Will Ireland definitely import fracked gas from the US?
No. Talks have taken place, but no supply contract has been confirmed. LNG will be procured through an open global-market process.
Where will the emergency LNG facility be located?
The proposed facility is planned for Cahiracon on the Shannon estuary in Co Clare.
Why does Ireland need a gas reserve?
Ireland relies heavily on gas delivered through UK-linked pipelines. An emergency reserve would provide backup if those supplies were seriously disrupted.
When is the facility expected to operate?
The proposed Shannon LNG emergency facility is due to come on stream in 2030.
Why this matters for Ireland
The debate brings energy security and climate policy into direct conflict. Ireland needs reliable backup for homes, businesses and electricity generation, but importing LNG produced through fracking could raise difficult environmental and political questions.
The decisive issue will be how the Government balances resilience, affordability and emissions policy in the procurement process. For now, the key development is not a confirmed US gas deal, but Ireland’s willingness to consider all global LNG sources as it prepares an emergency reserve in Clare.