Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
81. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the assessment that has been undertaken of the potential for domestic production of hydrotreated vegetable oil in Ireland; whether the Government is examining the way such production could be supported through energy policy measures, including proposed private wires legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32096/26]
View answerHydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a drop in bioliquid replacing fossil diesel and has greenhouse gas reduction benefits. HVO may be used either in pure or blended form without the need for any modification. It can therefore support the decarbonisation of multiple sectors, including transport, construction or agricultural equipment, industrial heating and power generation.
The 2022 Biofuel Study (www.gov.ie/en/publication/89e44-report-a-review-of-requirements-and-constraints-on-biofuels-in-ireland-arising-from-red-ii-and-national-targets-prepared-by-byrne-ocleirigh-for-department-of-transport-the-national-oil-reserves-agency/) commissioned by the Department of Transport in the context of the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy, examined indigenous biofuel production capacity, and outlined planned developments which, if realised, could increase Ireland’s biodiesel/HVO production capacity to between 550 million to 850 million litres, depending on market and regulatory conditions. However, with low recoverable feedstock supplies (potential for 70m litres of biodiesel from indigenous feedstock) reliance on imported feedstocks (UCO and tallow) will continue to be high.
The General Scheme for the Private Wires Bill was approved in December 2025 and includes provisions for private electricity wires in four specific circumstances in line with Government Policy which was published last July, this includes allowing for an electricity generator to connect directly to a customer.
