Tuesday, May 06, 2025

Proposed LNG Power Plant in Kerry

Gas storage tanks at an LNG Terminal. © Copyright Robin Lucas and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Great news for energy security as reported in this RTÉ News article, but of course some aren't happy because the gas (shipped as liquid methane) that it's hoped will supply it may come from fracking. The plant will also include a 120 MWh Battery Energy Storage System, such facilities being needed nationwide to store energy and release it as needed (although they're controversial as we saw locally). Newer forms of electricity generation such as wind can be unpredictable, so battery storage acts as a buffer to feed the grid when the Sun isn't shining or wind isn't blowing. It's hoped, according to the RTÉ article, An Bord Pleanála won't put a spanner in the works now and appeal the High Court ruling on the LNG terminal. The court overturned An Bord Pleanála's refusal of permission for the facility last September.
There's an error in the RTÉ article. "120-megawatt" should presumably read "120 MWh" or "120 megawatt-hours".