Ireland’s hydrogen ambitions are colliding with the realities of legacy gas infrastructure, and the Corrib terminal in County Mayo is emerging as a test case. Gas Networks Ireland confirmed it will assess the feasibility of producing green hydrogen at the Bellanaboy Bridge gas terminal.
The pilot will be developed with the Corrib joint venture between Nephin Energy and Vermilion Energy. The partners plan to evaluate whether a demonstration scale electrolyzer can be integrated into the existing terminal, using domestically sourced wind power and leveraging Corrib’s direct connection to Ireland’s national gas transmission network. The focus on reuse is strategic. New hydrogen infrastructure faces permitting, cost, and grid access hurdles, while Corrib already offers land, grid connections, and operational experience in handling pressurized energy flows.
From a system perspective, the initiative aligns with Ireland’s broader challenge. Natural gas remains central to power generation and heating, yet policy targets require rapid emissions reduction. Hydrogen is often positioned as a solution, but its role in Ireland is still largely conceptual, with limited domestic production and no large scale offtake commitments. By testing hydrogen production at an existing gas terminal, Gas Networks Ireland is seeking empirical data on safety, blending potential, and operational impacts rather than relying on theoretical models.
The Atlantic Energy Corrib initiative under which the project sits highlights another structural issue. Repurposing gas assets is increasingly framed as a way to protect sunk capital while supporting decarbonization. However, the economics remain uncertain. Green hydrogen production costs in wind rich regions are improving, but they still exceed those of fossil based alternatives, particularly without guaranteed demand or long term policy support. A demo scale plant can validate technical assumptions, but it does little to resolve questions around commercial viability at scale.
Gas Networks Ireland CEO David Kelly framed the project as a learning exercise to inform future network transition planning. That framing is notable. Rather than committing to hydrogen as a definitive pathway, the operator is emphasizing system understanding, including how hydrogen could be accommodated safely and efficiently within existing gas infrastructure. This cautious tone reflects the broader European debate, where hydrogen strategies are increasingly scrutinized against cost, efficiency, and end use suitability.
The Corrib site also underscores a geopolitical dimension. With indigenous gas production in decline, Ireland faces rising import dependence. Producing green hydrogen from domestic wind resources offers an alternative narrative focused on energy sovereignty. Yet the scale matters. A pilot plant, even if technically successful, will not materially offset gas imports or emissions unless followed by substantial investment and clear demand signals from industry or power generation.
