Shannon LNG power plant project stalled by legal challenge

Irish Independent

12-05-2025

Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) asked the High Court to allow a judicial review of An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant permission for the project
The environmental group argues that the greenhouse gas emissions that would result from the gas-powered electricity generation plant have been undercounted.
It says if the plant goes ahead, the electricity sector will breach the emissions threshold legally set for it.
It also says An Bord Pleanála, by granting planning permission, failed in its responsibilities under Section 15 of the Climate Act which requires that public bodies act in accordance with the Climate Action Plan.
Judge Richard Humphreys granted the group's request for leave for a judicial review and listed the case for a fortnight's time.
Shannon LNG has been trying to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and regassification plant on the Co Kerry coast for almost 20 years and is involved in a protracted planning and legal battle over the project.
However, last March it received permission for a separate but related electricity generation plant on the same site.
The plant, which would be one of the country's biggest, would burn high-emissions conventional fossil fuel gas to generate electricity.
It would also have the option of burning even more emission-intensive LNG if the import terminal and regassification plant receive permission.
Opponents argue that approving the power plant will make it harder to refuse the LNG facilities and create a 'lock-in' effect, embedding LNG in the country's energy supply for the long term.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shannon LNG argues the power plant is necessary because of the growing demand for electricity in the country.
It argues shipping LNG into Ireland is necessary because most of the country's supply of conventional fossil gas comes from an undersea pipe from the UK which could be vulnerable to disruption.
The Government supports that view and earlier this year lifted a ban on LNG importation.
In papers lodged to the court, FIE said there were critical failures in the environmental impact statement submitted by Shannon LNG in its planning application.
Paul Price, adjunct professor at Dublin City University, said the method the company used to calculate the likely greenhouse gas emissions was incorrect and the emissions were 'significantly underestimated'.
The group argues that new power plants that would generate more than 3 gigawatts (GW) of electricity were already awaiting construction – more than the 2GW the Government said was needed to meet electricity demand to the end of the decade.
"Even on the developer's emissions calculations (which significantly underestimate greenhouse gas emissions) this single power station would on its own account for one-third own of all budgeted emissions from the entire electricity sector in 2030,' it argues.
'Nowhere does the Inspector [of An Bord Pleanála] explain how this could possibly be compliant with the relevant carbon budgets and sectorial emissions ceilings.'
The matter back in court on May 26th.