Fuels for Ireland calls for switch from E5 to E10

The national organisation is pushing the fuelling industry to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Fuels for Ireland, an organisation representing companies that provide energy for transport, heating, business, agriculture, maritime and aviation, has set out its plans for the industry to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The new strategy, titled ‘Powering today and tomorrow’, outlines how forecourt operators, home heating suppliers and other fuel providers will strive to be carbon neutral by 2050, reports Environment & Energy Management.

“Fossil fuels cannot be the basis of Ireland’s long-term energy plans, or the basis of our industry’s long-term business strategy,” said Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland. “This document is about setting out our vision for how our members can support Ireland’s efforts to become carbon neutral by 2050.”

With 97% of Ireland’s transport energy demand in 2018 being provided by liquid oil-based products, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the industry is looking at biofuels as a way to efficiently reduce CO2 emissions.

Fuels for Ireland is calling on the Government to double the current E5 blend to E10 to improve the transport industry’s carbon footprint. Switching to E10 would result in an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of 90,000 tonnes, equivalent to taking 50,000 cars off the road.

“The liquid fuels we provide are being transformed. With the right supports, Fuels for Ireland can play a leading role in making Ireland’s energy transition a reality. Remarkable improvements in engine technology and efficiency have already transformed how we use fuels, now the challenge will be how to change our overall fuel mix to dramatically cut and ultimately eliminate greenhouse gas emissions,” said McPartlan.