Consultation on draft regulations to be made under Part 5A of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act

The Minister for Transport is seeking submissions on;

• draft regulations to authorise the National Oil Reserves Agency to issue additional renewable transport fuel obligation certificates for specified renewable transport fuels, where those fuels are used for specific purposes or means of transport, to incentivise the supply of these renewable transport fuels

• draft regulations to specify the minimum percentage volume of ethanol to be blended with petrol placed on the market by sale or otherwise in the State by renewable transport fuel obligation account holders

Statutory Consultation on draft Regulations

The Climate Action Plan and the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement 2021-2023 contain a target to raise the blend proportion of biofuels in road transport fossil fuel to at least B20 (biodiesel equivalent) in diesel and E10 (Ethanol) in petrol as part of the transport sector decarbonising measures to achieve a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. Interim targets for biofuel blending in the Climate Action Plan are at least B12 (biodiesel equivalent) in diesel and E10 (Ethanol) in petrol.

In addition, the Climate Action Plan also sets ambitious targets for biomethane and green hydrogen which will address future cross-sectoral renewable energy consumption needs with potential, for example, to meet future transport decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as in HDV transportation or as a future feedstock for e-fuels in aviation and maritime transport.

The Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement proposes incentives for supply of certain renewable transport fuels which are aligned to these Climate Action Plan targets, as set out in the draft Regulations under this consultation.

The Minister for Transport intends to make regulations under Part 5A of the National Oil Reserves Agency Acts 2007 and 2023:

(i) The National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Additional Certificates) Regulations, to be made under section 44G(1B) of the 2007 Act.

This Regulation will authorise the National Oil Reserves Agency to issue additional renewable transport fuel obligation certificates for specified renewable transport fuels and where those fuels are used for specific purposes or means of transport, to incentivise the supply of these renewable transport fuels. The renewable transport fuels specified include, Hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), biomethane, green hydrogen, and renewable transport fuels used in aviation and maritime.

(ii) The National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (Minimum Percentage Ethanol in Petrol) Regulations, to be made under section 44GA of the 2007 Act.

This Regulation will specify the minimum volume of ethanol to be blended with petrol placed on the market by sale or otherwise in the State by renewable transport fuel obligation account holders. In line with the switch to E10 in the UK (in 2021) and NI (in 2022), the minimum 5.5% ethanol in petrol will be specified in the Regulation.

As provided for under the Act, following consultation on the draft Regulations and consideration of responses, the Minister may make the regulations having regard to effects of the regulations on a range of matters concerning economic activities in the State and on the Environment.

Once the regulations are made, the regulations can be reviewed and adjusted by the Minister over time. It is envisaged that these regulations will be kept under review within the context of the development and implementation of the renewable transport fuel policy.

The Minister for Transport is required to hold a public consultation for 28 days on each draft regulation. Written submission should be submitted to the Department of Transport at

climateadaptationresearch&energydivision@transport.gov.ie

by 5pm on Thursday, 30 March 2023

Following the statutory consultation on draft Regulations under Part 5A of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act, Minister for Transport Minister Ryan signs off on Renewable Transport Fuel Regulations which supports the continued transition to cleaner and sustainable forms of fuel mixes in the transport fleet and helps meet our Climate Action Plan targets’.

(i) The National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Additional Certificates) Regulations, to be made under section 44G(1B) of the 2007 Act.

(ii) The National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (Minimum Percentage Ethanol in Petrol) Regulations, to be made under section 44GA of the 2007 Act.