LNG is not the way to Energy Security, it’s the path to planetary destruction

Following the decision of Fine Gael to support the development of an “LNG terminal” in Ireland at their Árd Fheis claiming that it will improve energy security.

Ruairí Fahy, People Before Profit representative for Limerick City North, disagrees with their decision to support LNG but also that it will improve energy security.

“Fine Gael has committed to pushing for the development of an LNG terminal in Ireland after the UN IPCC report has made it very clear that the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure is putting our lives and the lives of all people on this planet at risk.

“To be charitable, it shows a clear lack of understanding of the problems that our grid faces, and being uncharitable it shows another example of them repeating the words lobbyists have whispered into their ears.

“Our current energy security problems are not as a result of limitations in the gas supply but are a result of increased demand, mostly driven by data centres which have risen to 15% of total electricity consumption with an expectation from Eirgrid that they will reach 30% by 2030.

“When it comes to other gas users Aughinish Alumina claimed in a statement to the CRU that they consume 11% of all gas in the country. If we are worried about our energy security we need to be looking at addressing the undue burden these large energy users are putting on our energy system, and then ask them if they are willing to foot the cost instead of making workers in Ireland subsidise their business.

“LNG will not solve these issues, or bring affordability. The growing number of LNG terminals and demand for this fuel is called a “gold rush” by the companies involved in the extraction and shipping of this fuel. Moving to LNG will leave us at the mercy of international energy markets which only care about profit maximisation, not ensuring we can keep the lights on.

“The most important problem when it comes to energy security is ensuring families in their homes are kept warm and can keep the lights on.

“The take up of the government retrofitting scheme has been abysmal, and this is down to the design of the scheme where most people don’t have the money to spend upfront and then claim it back. We need a new scheme that is run by a publicly operated and controlled company that goes estate to estate to quickly roll out retrofits and solar panel installation at no upfront cost to families so we can ensure we have lower gas and solid fuel use alongside warmer homes for all while helping to take some of the edge off the cost of living crisis.”