A leading Fianna Fáil MEP has warned that Ireland could face electricity shortages this winter as they are "at the mercy" of the British Government.
Billy Kelleher was speaking after the British Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) issued an alert to people in the UK of possible shortages this winter.
In the middle of a cost of living crisis in both the UK and Ireland, any blackouts would be a devastating blow.
Gas in Ireland is currently supplied by two regions - the Corrib gas project accounts for around about a third of the natural gas we use.
The rest is brought to here via a pipeline from the UK, and this is what worries the long-time Fianna Fáil politician.
In a statement, Mr Keller argued: "We know that 70% of all gas used in Ireland, including for electricity generation, comes directly from Great Britain via one pipeline. Let us be under no illusions - if Britain is facing gas shortages in its own market, there is no way they will allow the export of gas to Ireland or indeed any other market.
"We would therefore be at the mercy of the British government and British energy companies. This is why I have repeatedly argued for a diversification of Irish gas supplies to lessen our dependence on British gas.
"While Ireland gets roughly 30% of its gas from the Corrib field, there simply isn’t enough extra capacity to make up for the shortfall in gas from Britain in a short period of time."
Mr Keller continued by proposing that there are easy short-term fixes available.
He added: "Eirgrid, and the Department of Energy, need to quickly source alternative sources of gas this winter. One option could be the installation of a Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRU) to allow Ireland take in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). These facilities can be up and running in about 30 days.
"Ideology cannot be allowed to get in the way of adequate supplies of gas, and thereby electricity, for Irish homes and businesses," concluded Mr Kelleher.
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