Ireland: Energy crisis fuels gas reserves debate

A new EU directive on security of supply dictates that Ireland develop a strategic stockpile in case of global disruption. So, how prepared are we?

The annual row between Russia and the Ukraine only serves to remind us that as the country at the end of the European gas grid, we are in an extremely vulnerable position when it comes to security of supply.

If Serbian gas stops flowing to Europe from the Ukraine, it would mean the loss of 25pc of European gas supplies, but quite possibly the loss of our entire feedstock.


It is this type of scenario which makes the development of a national strategic gas reserve a critical issue. Even as steps are taken to diversify sources of gas for the European market, we cannot rely on the benevolence of other nations, whether our EU partners or not, to come to our rescue in the event of an interruption in European gas supplies.

While the debate over the future direction of our energy policy rages on, one thing is certain: whatever the nature of the power source, EU policy, as well as common sense, dictate that we need to be able to guarantee energy supplies in the event of some major disruption.

Indpendent.ie