To tackle the challenge of decarbonising the transport sector, the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) is set to increase to 25 percent (by energy content) starting January 1, 2025. This requirement mandates a higher proportion of transport fuel to be derived from renewable sources, impacting all vehicles on the road.
The “Energy in Ireland 2024” report published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicates that the transport sector is the largest contributor to energy demand within the Irish economy, with transport energy demand increasing by 4.5 percent in 2023. Road transport was responsible for 75 percent of total transport energy consumption, with private cars making up nearly 40 percent of that total.
In 2023, overall demand for road diesel in Ireland rose by 1 percent. However, due to mandates that increased the blending of biofuels into road fuels, the usage of fossil diesel decreased, leading to a reduction in emissions from road diesel. As the RTFO legislation continues to mandate the use of biofuels, these fuels are poised to play a vital role in Ireland’s strategy for decarbonisation.
The RTFO requirements are expected to rise consistently, with blending mandates primarily fulfilled through Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), commonly known as renewable diesel. This biofuel is chemically similar to fossil-based diesel, which allows for higher blending rates.
Inver is responsible for importing HVO into its jointly owned terminal in Foynes. The terminal’s flexible infrastructure enables Inver to adjust the blending of HVO with fossil-based diesel efficiently, ensuring compliance with the RTFO.
The HVO supplied by Inver is sourced from auditable and certified supply chains, adhering to the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) scheme. The ISCC is a globally recognised sustainability system approved under the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), which ensures compliance with legal requirements.
For more information visit www.inverenergy.ie
