Consultation on 2022 increase to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Rate and the establishment of an Advanced Biofuel Obligation Rate

As provided for under the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, the renewable transport fuel obligation ensures that a proportion of the transport fuel used in the State consists of environmentally sustainable biofuels promoting greenhouse gas reduction in transport fuel supply in the State. Further details on the scheme are available on the NORA website.

The Minister for Transport published the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement in November 2021 which sets out a roadmap for the supply and use of renewable fuels in transport. This policy statement involves a trajectory of annual increase in the renewable transport fuel obligation rate towards achievement of Climate Action Plan targets by 2030, and measures to ensure sustainability of supply and incentives for increased supply of advanced biofuels and development fuels aligned to European requirements.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications intends to make an order to provide for an increase in the Renewable Transport fuel obligation rate from 1 January 2023 and to update the related buy-out charge amount (expressed on an energy basis).

In line with the requirements of Article 25(1) of the European Renewable Energy Directive, the Minister also intends to establish an advanced biofuel obligation rate, and corresponding buy-out charge amount.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications is required to hold a public consultation for 28 days on each draft regulation. He is seeking views in writing on:

1. Draft order increasing the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Rate to 16.985% by energy

2. Draft regulation amending the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation buy out rate as €0.05 per megajoule

3. Draft order establishing an Advanced Biofuel Obligation Rate obligation rate of 0.3% rate

4. Draft regulation establishing an Advanced Biofuel Obligation buy-out of €0.08 per megajoule

Draft Regulations under this consultation and notice are subject to final legal drafting and review.

In your submission, please specify which topic you are referring to in the subject line of the email:

1. Renewable Transport Fuel obligation rate

2. Renewable Transport Fuel buy-out charge

3. Advanced Biofuel Obligation Rate

4. Advanced Biofuel Obligation buy-out

The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm 7 December 2022

Submissions on any of the four draft regulations should be sent by email to biofuels@decc.gov.ie or by post to:

Consultation on 2022 increase to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation rate and the establishment of an Advanced Biofuel Obligation Rate.

Energy Programme Performance & Delivery Division

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin, D02 X285

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. All submissions and feedback will be considered before the final versions of the Obligation Rates are published.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.