Green groups challenge ESRI research over liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects

A number of environmental groups have challenged research by the Economic and Social Research Institute that Irish consumers would pay significantly less for their gas if liquefied natural gas, or LNG, facilities were given the go-ahead.

Green groups challenge ESRI research over liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects

A number of environmental groups have challenged research by the Economic and Social Research Institute that Irish consumers would pay significantly less for their gas if liquefied natural gas, or LNG, facilities were given the go-ahead.

The research showed that combining imports of LNG at a proposed terminal on the Shannon estuary with a storage facility at Islandmagee, in Co Antrim, would lower household gas bills.

The projects, which have the backing of the EU to integrate European energy markets, would lower prices, as Ireland could tap into world market prices, which are significantly lower, and help the country to transfer from oil and coal.

But the green groups, which include Safety Before LNG, Friends of the Irish Environment, and Friends of the Earth, said the ESRI bulletin didn’t take account of the costs of climate change involved in LNG gas “and the economic consequences related to the need to fully decarbonise our economy by 2050”.

In an open letter to the ESRI, the groups claim that there are hidden costs with LNG.

“LNG is a very capital- and energy-intensive industry. There is also an operational expense and a shipping expense.

“On top of that, the process is complicated and requires up to 25% of the energy content of the gas, making it, therefore, a risky bet for a country that counts on gas, at a time when we need to get completely off fossil fuels,” the letter said.

“Wind and solar are now cheaper than coal and fossil gas in many regions. This means new fossil gas capacity often displaces new wind and solar, rather than old coal,” it said.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

FILE PHOTO The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has cleared the purchase of Goodbody Stockbrokers by AIB END Goodbody Stockbrokers fined over €1.2m by Central Bank over rules breaches
Nottingham City Centre Stock Irish staff at the Body Shop wait for wages as retailer shuts stores in the Republic
Ryanair comments on Norwegian Ryanair boss O'Leary's spat with Transport Minister over Dublin Airport escalates
IE logo
Devices


UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE IRISH EXAMINER FOR TEAMS AND ORGANISATIONS
FIND OUT MORE

The Business Hub
Newsletter

News and analysis on business, money and jobs from Munster and beyond by our expert team of business writers.

Sign up
ie logo
Puzzles Logo

Play digital puzzles like crosswords, sudoku and a variety of word games including the popular Word Wheel

Lunchtime News
Newsletter

Keep up with the stories of the day with our lunchtime news wrap.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited