Written answers
Thursday, 2 June 2022
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Energy Policy
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that he intends taking to ensure that the indigenous supply of biodiesel, ethanol and biomethane is increased to ensure the security of Irish fuel supplies and also to reduce Ireland’s carbon footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28306/22]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Renewable Fuel for Transport Policy (November 2021) sets out the pathway for increasing the supply and use of renewable fuels in transport. The Policy and the proposed measures contained in it apply to both imported and indigenous supply of fuels. The Policy supports the decarbonising transport actions under the Climate Action Plan 2021 and the envisaged increase in the share of renewable fuels in transport use under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
The measures in the policy seek to implement the Climate Action Plan target for 2030, by means of annual increases in biofuel blending obligations on transport fuel suppliers leading to increases in ethanol blending in petrol (of 10% from the current 5%) and biodiesel in diesel up to 20% by 2030. Incentives for supply of biomethane and green hydrogen supply and use in transport is proposed by means of multiplier credits for supply of such fuels which can be offset against the higher biofuel blending obligation.
The Policy reiterates Ireland’s commitment to ensure maintenance of the highest standards of sustainability of fuel supply in transport. In this regard the Department is carrying out a study in 2022 concerning the sustainability and availability of biofuels and development of renewable fuels to 2030, which will equally address imported and indigenous supply.
More generally in relation to ensuring the security of Irish fuel supplies, under its membership of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Union, Ireland is required to hold strategic oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of net imports. The National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, is the State Agency with responsibility for ensuring that Ireland meets its obligations in relation to maintaining a minimum of 90 days reserve stocks of petroleum products which may be utilised in the event of a physical shortage of supplies.
The oil supply position on the Irish markets is kept under constant review.
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