Ireland handpicks spot for FSRU gas reserve to stave off supply shortfalls

November 28, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

Emerald Isle has unveiled the location where its new strategic gas reserve (SGER) will be situated as a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). This FSRU will be owned and operated on behalf of the Irish state by Gas Networks Ireland, which operates and maintains Ireland’s €3 billion, 14,758 kilometers national gas network, said to be one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.

Rendering of Cahiracon FSRU site; Courtesy of Gas Networks Ireland

While revealing that it has selected Cahiracon, Co. Clare, along the Shannon Estuary, as the location for Ireland’s new strategic gas emergency reserve, Gas Networks Ireland explains that this state-led project will provide a temporary natural gas facility that can be used in the event of a disruption to the country’s gas supplies.

After the government gave its blessing for the SGER in March 2025, which is considered to be critical for Ireland’s energy security, while the state continues to transition to renewable energy, 14 possible coastal sites were initially considered as potential sites for the strategic gas emergency reserve.

During recent months, Gas Networks Ireland’s team of engineers and consultants undertook detailed site assessments at locations in Cork Harbour and the Shannon Estuary, with each site being evaluated against four specific criteria: technical, environmental, financial, and planning.

Following this multi-criteria and cost-benefit analysis, as well as its associated pipe route corridor, the site at Cahiracon was deemed to best meet the project needs. The multi-acre site will be developed to include a deep-water jetty for an FRSU, an onshore facility, and a new connection to the national gas network.

Bobby Gleeson, Chief Operating Officer of Gas Networks Ireland, commented: “This is a very significant milestone in the delivery of Ireland’s strategic gas emergency reserve. Our teams have been working on detailed assessments of each of the possible locations, and following a rigorous process, they have identified Cahiracon in Co. Clare as best suited to meet the project requirements.”

Gas Networks Ireland representatives plan to immediately begin engaging with members of the local community to inform them further about the project and explain the next steps. It is believed that Ireland needs a temporary strategic gas emergency reserve because it currently imports 80% of its natural gas via two interconnectors from Britain.

Ireland’s gas network operator elaborated: “Any interruption to that supply would have a severe impact on electricity and heating to homes and businesses. Gas currently provides about 30% of Ireland’s primary energy needs and typically generates more than 40% of our electricity. At peak demand, gas can supply up to 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation.

“The strategic gas emergency reserve will help mitigate this risk, as it will provide an alternative gas supply in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The floating storage and regasification unit (FRSU), which is central to the project, is a specialist ship that stores LNG at very low temperatures and then converts it to natural gas when required.”

The FSRU, which will be docked at a jetty in Cahiracon, is expected to be able to deliver natural gas to the existing gas network if required at any point. In the event of a major disruption to the current supply, the unit will have the capacity to be continuously re-supplied by sea until normal gas supplies are restored.

“FSRUs are a proven and safe technology which have been in use internationally for more than 20 years. There are currently more than 50 operating throughout the world. The selection of this site is a significant milestone for this project as Gas Networks Ireland will now progress with further scoping and designs, which will further refine costs estimates to inform the final investment decision,” underlined the operator.

While natural gas is currently an essential back-up for intermittent renewable energy sources in the country’s electricity system, the FSRU can depart once Ireland has progressed its transition to renewable energy sources and no longer faces a risk of disruption to gas supplies.

Afterward, the state-owned jetty and onshore facility at Cahiracon can be repurposed for other uses in the future, according to Gas Networks Ireland.