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Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Questions (432, 433, 442, 443, 444)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

432. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if incentives are being considered for the use and optimisation of vehicles for the use of bio-methane biofuels, in view of their reduced GHG emissions. [50771/13]

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Andrew Doyle

Question:

433. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a national policy on the use of biogas as a fuel in Government vehicles has been developed or is proposed. [50862/13]

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Andrew Doyle

Question:

442. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the approved national system for the delivery of CNG biogas into the national gas network will be finalised. [50765/13]

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Andrew Doyle

Question:

443. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the impact of the potential sale of an Bord Gáis Energy on the future development potential of the biogas sector. [50766/13]

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Andrew Doyle

Question:

444. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a steering group to promote the production of biogas has been planned in the foreseeable future. [50767/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 433 and 442 to 444, inclusive, together.

Academic and industry research suggest that there is a potentially significant role for biogas and biomethane in meeting our renewable energy requirements, particularly in the challenging heat and transport sectors. Biogas can be utilised to generate electricity, heat or as a transport fuel. Electricity production from biogas (using anaerobic digestion and landfill gas) is already supported under the REFIT schemes, and biogas, when used as a transport fuel, can be used to meet the obligations set under the Biofuels Obligation Scheme. Biomethane, which is produced by removing impurities from biogas, can be used as a substitute for natural gas and can be injected directly into the gas grid. In this regard, any sale of the Bord Gáis Energy business should not have any impact on the future development potential of the biogas sector. The BGE gas networks are being retained in State ownership as strategic national infrastructure. Last September, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) invited views on facilitating the injection of biogas into the natural gas grid. This consultation closed on the 23 October and I understand that the CER is currently assessing the responses and expects to publish a decision paper in 2014.

Biomethane can also be used in Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) and their increased deployment could present opportunities for biomethane use in the transport sector. However, the technology is at a relatively early stage of development and there are no immediate plans for the use of NGVs, or vehicles that run on biogas, for Government owned vehicles. However, it should be noted that the National Transport Authority (NTA), which is responsible for procuring Public Services Obligation (PSO) vehicles on behalf of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, takes environmental and energy criteria into account when making such procurement decisions in accordance with EU Directive 2009/33/EC.

More generally, and given the stage of technology development and cost, detailed economic analysis of the supply chains, from production through to distribution and use, is required before any additional supports for biogas and biomethane appropriate to Ireland can be considered. This analysis will be carried forward in the context of implementing the forthcoming Bioenergy Strategy which is currently being finalised by my Department.

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