Ad
logo
menu

ePURE urges action on European Commission’s call for use of more biofuels

news item image
The European Commission’s new recommendation that the EU could increase its use of biofuels as a way to boost energy security and reduce dependence on fossil oil is yet another reminder of the strategic importance of renewable ethanol in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical climate, ePURE has outlined.
European ethanol biorefineries producing food, feed, fuel and biogenic CO2 are domestic assets that can help the EU to realise its ambitions for climate change mitigation as well as energy independence, food security, and agricultural and industrial autonomy, all while strengthening EU farmers’ revenue.
War in the Middle East and the resulting upheaval of energy markets have forced Europe to think more about its resilience, competitiveness and independence. There has never been a more important time for the EU to adopt policies that make the best use of these renewable resources.
In a 31 March letter to EU energy ministers, Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said Europe “must be ready for a potentially prolonged disruption of international energy trade” and a statement from the Commission’s Directorate General for Energy suggested that “increasing the uptake of biofuels could help substitute for fossil petroleum products and alleviate pressure on the market.”
This is a first step in the right direction for the Commission and should be followed up with urgent additional actions to unleash the potential of the domestic renewable ethanol industry for replacing fossil fuel, giving EU citizens access to cheaper renewable energy sources, boosting food and feed production and supporting EU agriculture and industry.
The EU has numerous biorefineries capable of contributing much more to Europe’s energy sovereignty. Our plants are currently operating below capacity, a situation that could be unlocked if E20 were authorised for use in petrol cars. The EU should rapidly reopen the Fuel Quality Directive to allow the use of E20 – a move supported by several auto manufacturers.
The upcoming review of the Renewable Energy Directive for post-2030 is another perfect opportunity for policymakers to revise the crop-cap limits to ensure energy supply of domestic energy sources and strengthen EU’s energy and food security.
The current geopolitical situation is an opportunity the EU should embrace to support agriculture and our food and energy sovereignty at a time when European farmers are facing severe difficulties.


Latest News