Republic of Ireland's First Ever Dedicated BioCNG Refuelling Self Service Station Opens

  • Minister Ossian Smyth, Flogas and Gas Networks Ireland officially open the Republic of Ireland’s first ever dedicated BioCNG refuelling self service station in North Co. Dublin 
  • BioCNG for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) cuts carbon emissions by up to 90% and reduces lifetime vehicle costs compared to diesel 
  • The self-service station can refuel up to 50 HGVs per day, cutting over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to diesel fuelled HGVs.  
  • The station will support large companies who want to make the switch to BioCNG and reduce their scope 3 emissions.  

There’s good news for businesses today who are looking to make the transition to more sustainable, cleaner fuel for their heavy goods vehicles. Flogas, part of DCC plc, and Gas Networks Ireland are today announcing the official opening of the Republic of Ireland's first ever dedicated BioCNG refuelling station.  

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is natural gas that has been compressed to fit into a vehicle’s tank and is available for heavy goods and commercial vehicles, while BioCNG is its certified renewable gas equivalent which qualifies as a renewable fuel under the Irish Biofuel Obligation Scheme and can turn an HGV into a carbon neutral vehicle. 

Flogas, a commercial and industrial energy supplier and supplier of renewable biomethane to the transport sector in Ireland, said this new self service station will support large companies who want to make the switch to BioCNG and reduce their scope 3 emissions.  

The new Flogas BioCNG refuelling station is supported by Gas Networks Ireland’s Causeway project, which has to date delivered a network of high capacity fast-fill CNG stations nationwide, developed a renewable gas injection facility, deployed a fleet of CNG vehicles and made a CNG vehicle fund available to businesses in Ireland.  

The news comes after the Government recently published its new National Biomethane Strategy to support the delivery of up to 5.7 Terawatt hours (TWh) of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. BioCNG will support the decarbonisation of Ireland’s road haulage sector, responsible for 20.7% of the total road transport emissions in Ireland.  

Speaking at the official opening, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth TD, said:  

“Flogas’s BioCNG refuelling station, which is supported by Gas Networks Ireland, will play a central role in helping businesses who want to switch to cleaner, greener fuel and cut carbon emissions. There are approximately 40,000 HGVs in Ireland – the vast majority are diesel powered. But we also know 45% of HGVs on our roads right now are 10 years old, or older3. This presents a great opportunity, as we know more businesses who want to become more sustainable are replacing vehicles at the end of their life service with lower emission alternatives, such as BioCNG. By making the switch to BioCNG, we have the power to drastically reduce emissions in Ireland, paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future for all.” 

Operated by Certa, a sister company to Flogas, this station will offer convenient access to BioCNG 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will support companies with existing Bio-CNG HGV fleets and those looking to make the switch.  

“As we stand at the forefront of Ireland's sustainable energy revolution, Flogas is proud to unveil the Republic of Ireland’s first ever dedicated BioCNG refuelling station,” said John Rooney, Managing Director at Flogas.  BioCNG represents not just a fuel, but a promise—a promise of a greener, more efficient future for commercial transportation. Bio-CNG for heavy goods vehicles can cut carbon emissions by up to 90% and can substantially reduce the lifetime vehicle costs compared to diesel vehicles. We would encourage any business thinking of making the switch to Bio-CNG to get in touch with our dedicated team of energy experts at Flogas,” he added.  

Demand showing strong growth 

Gas Networks Ireland’s latest gas demand report shows that demand for renewable gas in transport from Ireland’s road freight sector is continuing to show strong growth – in May 2024, demand for this low carbon alternative to diesel saw another significant year-on-year increase, up 28% on the same month last year. 

Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Business Development, Karen Doyle said:  

“We are delighted to support Flogas in the opening of the Republic of Ireland’s first dedicated BioCNG refuelling station, part of our Causeway Programme, which will play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions from the commercial transport sector. With three more public stations in development, we are delivering a network of stations offering a low carbon fuel alternative to diesel for Ireland’s commercial fleet”  

Flogas already supplies renewable biomethane to four Circle K refuelling pumps across Ireland. As experts in gas distribution, Flogas saw an opportunity to provide a well-to-wheel solution for the transport sector. This is a new business division and Flogas plans to roll out more Bio-CNG stations with its industrial and commercial customers in the future, to support them with their scope 3 emission reduction plans.  

“Demand for renewable energy has increased significantly among large enterprises in Ireland in recent years, as more brands are urgently seeking to cut their greenhouse gas emissions in line with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan,” said Barry Murphy, Energy Services and Renewables Director at Flogas. This station marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to supporting large enterprises achieve their sustainability goals. But our vision doesn't end here. We envision a future where our Bio-CNG stations dot the landscape of Ireland, offering clean fuel to all businesses, ensuring a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come.” 

Located at Food Central in St Margarets North Co. Dublin, this 2,900 square metre site can refuel up to 50 HGVs per day from one dual sided high-speed dispenser. When the station is at full utilisation, it will cut over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to diesel fuelled HGVs.  

The renewable fuel for the station will come from Irish and European anaerobic digestion (AD) plants. Flogas is the only energy supplier in Ireland approved under the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme for the supply of Bio-CNG. The Renewable Gas Certification scheme ensures transparency and accountability, as the biomethane will be meticulously tracked in the supply chain.  This dedicated Bio-CNG station is another renewable market first for Flogas having already been the first energy supplier in Ireland to supply biomethane through the gas network to Diageo in 2020. 

If you are a large enterprise and would like to learn more about how you can switch your fleet to sustainable Bio-CNG, please call 01 884 9400 or email enterprise@flogas.ie 

For more information on Gas Networks Ireland and the Causeway Project, click here: The Causeway Project (gasnetworks.ie)

For more information on Gas Networks Ireland and BioCNG, visit www.gasnetworks.ie/cng