EU gives assurance on LNG’s future in post-Brexit world

COMMISSION: SHANNON LNG WILL REMAIN EU PROJECT OF COMMON INTEREST

BREXIT will not see LNG’s status as an EU Project of Common Interest diminshed in anyway, the EU Commission has moved to assure its supporters in the European Parliament and at home.

Fears had been raised in recent months that Britain’s exit from the EU could have downgraded the as yet aspirational gas terminal on the Irish western seaboard.

The status was granted the long-awaited project in recent years and means it can draw down funding from the EU in the interests of ensuring the Union has a secure supply of energy. Gas would be imported to the LNG plant on the Tarbert Landbank, reducing the State’s complete dependence on piped gas from the British market.

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada said last week that she sought assurances on the future of the project and its special status from the Commission in the light of Brexit-sparked fears.

“Britain’s departure from the EU put continued European support for the Shannon project in doubt. I raised Shannon LNG with the Commission and asked that it recognise the special status of Ireland as a unitary energy market that is subject to geographic limitations on connectivity, and as a country that is at risk of severe disadvantages in terms of connectivity, transport and trade as a result of Brexit.

“I welcome the response from the Commission, which states that Shannon LNG will not be disbarred from EU support under the current round of PCI awards, despite the triggering of Article 50 by the British Government and the ongoing Brexit negotiations.”

The project has been included on two consecutive listings of strategic energy projects that can access EU funding.