Economic Competitiveness

Strengthening long-term competitiveness

Kestrel strengthens Ireland’s competitiveness by reducing exposure to energy shocks and supporting greater price stability. Privately developed, it protects the economy from disruption and reinforces Ireland’s appeal as a resilient location for investment.

Reduces Exposure to Energy Shocks

With capacity for at least 90 days of average consumption, Kestrel provides a buffer against extreme volatility, protecting households, industry and electricity generation while strengthening Ireland’s negotiating position in gas markets.

Strategic gas reserves provide a buffer against market volatility

Reduces cost impacts on households and business during supply disruptions

Enables more stable planning and procurement for energy-intensive industries

Why it matters?

Economic resilience depends on predictable, secure energy availability, especially in a more electrified and renewable-supplied future.

Private Capital Enabled by Clear Legal and Regulatory Framework

Kestrel combines private investment with an appropriate regulated framework, delivering strategic infrastructure while sharing risk fairly and protecting long-term public value.

Kestrel is developed and financed by the partners with private capital
Any future support mechanism would be independently regulated and informed by established European storage models.

Why it matters?

With an appropriate regulatory framework, Kestrel can deliver a strategic national asset through private capital while limiting public risk.

Avoids High-Risk Economic Losses

Kestrel directly mitigates the extreme economic consequences outlined in Government-commissioned CEPA report, ensuring Ireland can withstand major disruption scenarios without catastrophic national impact.

CEPA modelling estimates €4.6 billion per month economic loss to the Irish economy from a full gas disruption, which could last over 6 months
Kestrel addresses the prolonged-outage scenario that an FSRU alone cannot fully mitigate. Reliable energy supply is a core factor in investment and industrial location decisions

Why it matters?

Inaction carries a measurable economic cost. Kestrel mitigates a known national risk.