To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs given a hydrogen storage project (a) has not been applied for, (b) assessed for environmental impacts, or (c) consulted upon, whether any proposals for transitioning the Infrastrata Islandmagee Gas Storage Project to hydrogen will require a fresh application.

The application made by Islandmagee Energy Limited was for a marine construction licence for the creation of caverns for the storage of natural gas. A draft marine licence was issued on 12 October for the storage of natural gas. The Company has indicated acceptance of the terms of the draft licence, and a full licence will be issued shortly.

A condition of that licence is that if the licensee wishes to vary or change the intended use of the caverns, that it shall contact the Department immediately. The Company has been advised that a change of use may invalidate the licence and that a further application may be necessary.