Irish report shows pathways towards net zero with renewable Liquid Gas

According to the report “Delivering Net Zero for Rural Ireland – Pathways to Renewable Liquid Gas”, published by Liquid Gas Ireland (LGI), the country is poised to potentially deliver up to 100,000 tonnes of bio-LPG per annum through domestic production, meeting 60% of current liquid gas demand, by 2050.

The study sets out an evidence-based strategy for a transition to 100% renewable Liquid Gas, accelerating the decarbonisation of rural homes and businesses located off the natural gas grid, and identifies three clear pathways to develop domestic production over the next two decades with the right level of government support.

These pathways include:

• Co-production from biomethane anaerobic digestion (AD) plants – With the long-term expansion of AD capacity under the National Biomethane Strategy, co-producing renewable liquid gas could become an attractive pathway to scaling indigenous supply.
• Production as a by-product of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production – A supportive policy framework which drives domestic HVO and SAF production should incentivise producers to sell a share of renewable liquid gas produced as a by-product.
• Purpose-built renewable liquid gas facilities using advanced gasification technologies – Clear market signals and certainty around future renewable liquid gas offtake and price could attract investment in a purpose-built, first-of-a-kind renewable liquid gas facility in Ireland.

For LGI, Ireland’s access to a growing integrated European renewable LPG market will be pivotal to driving increased renewable supply while the potential for domestic production is explored and developed.

“The scale of opportunity renewable liquid gases present for the decarbonisation of rural Ireland is significant,” said LGI Senior Director for Government Affairs & Policy, Alan Farrell. “However, a phased approach is needed to realise this potential which considers multiple supply and production routes for renewable liquid gases, both here in Ireland and across Europe. Meeting the sector’s climate action objectives is a bold and necessary ambition, which requires an energy transition that is not only effective, but is fair and inclusive.

“The liquid gas sector is fully committed to achieving net zero by 2050, and with industry collaboration, clear production pathways, and strategic government support, Ireland can not only participate in a fair and inclusive energy transition but lead it,” he added.

Source: LGI

Photo: LGI