Richard Bruton
Question:330. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown in the use of biomethane for biofuels. [38272/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
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Written answers
Biomethane is a biogas, often referred to as BioCNG, because it can be used with or as a substitute for fossil compressed natural gas (CNG). In transport, biomethane use is found mostly in the decarbonisation of heavy duty commercial CNG vehicle operation. It is understood that some fuel suppliers have recently started to supply BioCNG at a small number of refuelling stations, catering mainly to HDV CNG vehicles.
The supply of renewable energy in transport consumption generally is mandated in Ireland through the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) on fuel suppliers. Biomethane used in transport which fulfils EU criteria for sustainability and GHG reduction is eligible for RTFO certificates, for each megajoule of renewable energy supplied, which can be counted against the obligation.
The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) which administers the obligation, in its annual report 2022 sets out that approximately 1,105k Nm3 (0.04 PJ) of gaseous renewable transport fuel were placed on the market in 2022. This equates to almost 2 million equivalent litres of biomethane/bioCNG placed on the market; and represents less than 1% of renewables placed on the market under the renewable transport fuel obligation in 2022. The supply of biomethane in transport in 2022 was produced from either food waste, brown grease, animal manure, crude glycerine or belly grass (all wastes).
The updated Renewable Transport Fuel Policy Statement 2023-2025 published in June sets out the pathway to increase the mandate for renewable energy in transport through an annual RTFO rate increase, in order to achieve 2030 targets under the Climate Action Plan and EU Renewable Energy Directive. In 2023, renewable transport fuel regulations were introduced to allow the award by the NORA of additional RTFO certificates for biomethane, further incentivising its supply for use in transport.