Shannon LNG Ltd has “reactivated” its €650 million plans for a Shannon Technology and Energy Park to An Bord Pleanála, in what is the latest twist in a two-decade attempt to build a liquefied natural gas facility in Co Kerry.
The application by Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of American New Fortress Energy, for the energy park on the 630-acre site on the Shannon estuary between Tarbert and Ballylongford were lodged in 2021.
They were refused by An Bord Pleanála in October 2023
However, the High Court last year told An Bord Pleanála to reconsider its refusal. The board then sought an application to take an appeal against the High Court decision but withdrew this application in March.
The 2021 planning proposal for a power plant, battery energy storage system, floating storage and regasification unit, jetty, onshore receiving facilities, above ground installation and all ancillary structures/works has now been reactivated by the company.
The proposal goes directly to An Bord Pleanála as it is a strategic infrastructure development.
Local authorities around the estuary, Kerry County Council and Clare County Council are given copies of the application for observation.
Earlier this year, permission was granted for a 600 megawatts power plant by the board.
This permission represented an about-turn by the planning board, as it had originally refused permission.
Friends of the Irish Environment, one of several conservation groups opposed to fracked gas and carbon energy, has begun judicial review proceedings against the power plant.
A liquefied natural gas terminal on the site has been in train since 2005.
Permission was first granted for an LNG regasification terminal in 2007 on the 630-acre site.
This was after a lengthy oral hearing held in Tralee.
Amendments were sought in 2013 and granted, and the following year, the duration of the LNG terminal was extended to 15 years.
However, this was quashed by the High Court in 2020.
Other applications, including for transmission cables and connection to the gas pipeline, have been granted and survive.
The 2021 permission for the energy park was refused by the board largely because it was against government policy at the time.
A number of applications related to the development of the energy park electrical and gas infrastructure for the massive terminal have also been considered over the years.
A decision by the planning board on the reactivated application is due in September.
