£9m sustainable fuel facility set for Northern Ireland

The Craigmore site will produce up to 2million litres of advanced biofuel annually once it is fully operational.

Renovare Fuels has confirmed plans for the new production plant, which is being developed in collaboration with NASA and will contribute towards the UK Department for Transport’s Renewable Fuel Obligation. 

Located in Craigmore, County Derry, the facility is set to create dozens of local jobs during the construction process, and several long-term high skilled engineering positions once completed. Renovare has announced a new £9million investment to make the proposal a reality, with Northern Ireland renewable energy operator B9 Energy Control Limited and UK biogas experts Powerhouse Management Ltd. also involved. 

Production at the address will deliver ‘drop-in’ replacements to diesel and petrol aviation fuel, helping some of the most ‘difficult to reach’ sectors – including air travel, maritime, and road haulage – deliver much-needed reductions in carbon emissions.

Advocates claim greener fuel alternatives can offer up to 97% less greenhouse gas emissions from relevant sectors, with transport overall accounting for around 25% of the UK’s entire carbon footprint. In the UK alone, around 32million tonnes of biowaste is generated annually, enough to produce 2billion litres of biofuel.

‘We’re proud to be supporting Renovare Fuels’ landmark investment today, which paves the way for Northern Ireland to play an important role in supporting businesses transition to net-zero,’ said Matthew Stone, Renovare Fuels Chairman. ‘The new operations in County Derry present an opportune moment to kickstart a sustainable fuels drive across the UK. We look forward to continuing to support this development in the new year.’

‘We’re proud to be supporting Renovare Fuels’ landmark investment today, which paves the way for Northern Ireland to play an important role in supporting businesses transition to net-zero,’ added Ian Harvey, Founder at B9 Energy Control Limited. ‘The new operations in County Derry present an opportune moment to kickstart a sustainable fuels drive across the UK. We look forward to continuing to support this development in the new year.’

More on sustainable fuel: 

https://environmentjournal.online/headlines/dutch-airport-commits-to-new-sustainable-aviation-fuel-blend/

https://environmentjournal.online/headlines/project-speedbird-to-save-26000-flights-worth-of-co2/

Image: Joshua Sukoff