Gas Networks Ireland and Circle K have taken another step forward in reducing emissions from Ireland’s heavy transport industry, one of the most difficult industries to decarbonize. The companies, which already offer bio-CNG at Circle K’s forecourts in Ballysimon Road, Limerick; Cashel, Clonshaugh and Dublin Port, have experienced a significant growth in demand from businesses looking to source fuel alternatives in order to develop sustainable supply chains.
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% biomethane can achieve zero carbon emissions.
“In the six months that bio-CNG has been available at the four Circle K outlets, almost 1,900 tons of carbon emissions have been saved, equating to over 1.9 million carbon neutral kilometers,” said Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Business Development, Karen Doyle. “Cleaner carbon neutral renewable gas will help Ireland reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and help to decarbonize Irish businesses, transport and 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 bio-CNG are, and are being used by fleet operators throughout Europe,” she added. “We are very excited to work with Circle K in offering the option of this carbon neutral fuel to fleet operators in Ireland.”
Circle K’s Senior Director Fuels, Jonathan Diver, commented: “Working with Gas Networks Ireland, we began making a low carbon fuel alternative for commercial vehicles available with the introduction of CNG in 2019. While CNG can reduce a HGV’s emissions by up to 22%, bio-CNG 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,” he added.
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 refueling station.
Source: Gas Networks Ireland
