FIVE TIMES MORE biofuel was used in Ireland in 2012 than in 2007.
The figure was revealed by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte in a parliamentary response to Fine Gael’s Bernard Durkan, who asked if the government would be making any steps to meet EU fossil fuel targets.
Rabbitte said that while there was no specific targets on fossil fuels usage, Ireland was bound to increase it’s use of renewable fuels.
By 2020, the country is obliged to have 16 per cent of all energy provided by renewable sources and 10 per cent in the transport industry.
These sources of energy helped the taxpayer save €300 million in imported gas costs in 2011, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland said.
Rabbitte added that the upward trend in biofuel usage would continue.
“In 2012, 128 million litres of biofuels were used in Ireland, almost five times as much as were used in 2007, and by 2020, it is expected that around 500 million litres of biofuel will replace imported fossil fuels.
Rabbitte finished by saying that over €2 billion could be saved on energy by 2020 – if the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan is realised.
“Should all the measures in the plan meet their potential by 2020, it is estimated that a reduction of €2.36 billion in energy expenditure could be realised.”
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