Gas Networks Ireland and Circle K have taken another step forward in reducing emissions from Ireland’s transport industry – one of the most difficult industries to decarbonise.
Gas Networks Ireland’s CNG and Renewable Gas Sales Manager, David Hanahoe; Circle K’s Senior Fuels Director, Jonathan Diver; Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Business Development, Karen Doyle; Circle K’s Senior Pricing Manager Brian Connolly
BioCNG is carbon neutral biomethane gas which is compressed to fit into a vehicle’s tank and is available for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) at Circle K’s forecourts in Ballysimon Road, Limerick; Cashel, Clonshaugh and Dublin Port.
Ireland’s commercial transport fleet makes up just 3% of vehicles on the road nationwide yet is responsible for approximately a fifth of transport’s carbon emissions. HGVs operating on 100% BioCNG can achieve zero carbon emissions.
Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Business Development, Karen Doyle, said there has been significant growth in demand from businesses looking to source fuel alternatives in order to develop sustainable supply chains: “While electricity is a proven alternate fuel for cars, electric solutions are not a viable option for use in heavy goods commercial vehicles, however CNG and BioCNG are, and are being used by fleet operators throughout Europe.
“We are very excited to work with Circle K in offering the option of this carbon neutral fuel to fleet operators in Ireland,” Ms Doyle said.
“In the six months that BioCNG has been available at the four Circle K outlets, almost 1,900 tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved, equating to over 1.9 million carbon neutral kilometres.”
“Cleaner carbon neutral renewable gas will help Ireland reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and help to decarbonise Irish businesses, transport and supply chains.
“By gradually replacing natural gas with renewable and carbon neutral gases such as biomethane and hydrogen, Ireland’s transport sector can be powered by increasingly cleaner fuel.”
Circle K’s Senior Director Fuels, Jonathan Diver, said: “Working with Gas Networks Ireland, we began making a low carbon fuel alternative for commercial vehicles available with the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) in 2019. While CNG can reduce a HGV’s emissions by up to 22%, BioCNG can turn it into a carbon neutral vehicle.”
“Circle K is Ireland’s leading fuels supplier to the commercial transport and freight industry, and a key priority of ours is supporting this sector as it endeavours to reduce its carbon emissions in addition to providing the other necessary goods and services, they require.
“Expanding and innovating our network of CNG refuelling stations as well as continuing to develop our EV charging facilities are both key elements within our overall sustainability agenda and we intend to make further progress in this regard in the months and years ahead.”
Gas Networks Ireland first introduced domestically produced biomethane into Ireland’s gas network in 2019. The biomethane is made and injected into the grid in Kildare is certified by the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) as being renewable in accordance with the EC rules set out in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II).
This biomethane is considered a zero-emissions fuel in the transport sector and qualifies as a renewable fuel under the Irish Biofuel Obligation Scheme. Gas Networks Ireland’s Renewable Gas Registry tracks the allocation of the biomethane from the point of injection into the grid to the point of withdrawal at the Circle K refuelling station.
