Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien TD, today officially opened Panda’s new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station in Cappagh, Dublin, developed in partnership with Gas Networks Ireland, bringing the number of CNG stations in Ireland to 12.

The opening also marks the official launch of the GRAZE (Green Renewable Agricultural Zero Emissions) Vehicle Grant Scheme – a government-funded initiative administered by Gas Networks Ireland to support the transition of Ireland’s heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet to CNG – a cleaner, more sustainable fuel alternative to diesel.

Speaking at the event, Minister O’Brien said: “Ireland’s transport sector is a cornerstone of our economy and we are committed to ensuring that the transition to decarbonisation is both effective and supportive. While passenger cars are increasingly shifting to electric, the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) sector requires alternative low emission fuels where electrification is not a viable solution.

“Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and renewable biomethane (BioCNG) offer a practical and scalable pathway to reducing emissions in this space. We now have more than 170 gas-powered HGVs on Irish roads, with demand rising— gas usage by HGVs increased by over 90 per cent in the past year alone.

“This growth signals a clear shift towards cleaner freight transport, and I warmly welcome the increasing demand, the infrastructure investment and the launch of the CNG GRAZE grant scheme, which will support more businesses in making the switch.”

The new CNG station at Cappagh is the 12th in Ireland and was developed through a collaboration between Panda and Gas Networks Ireland. It is Panda’s second public station in Dublin, following the opening of its Ballymount site earlier this year.

The GRAZE €750,000 grant scheme offers significant financial support to fleet operators switching to gas powered HGVs and will provide up to €10,000 per vehicle, covering up to 40% of the cost difference between a diesel and a gas fuelled commercial HGV. A total of 75 grants will be available under the first phase of the scheme.

Gas Networks Ireland’s Director of Customer and Business Development, David Kelly said: “Ireland’s commercial transport fleet may represent just 3% of vehicles on our roads, but it is responsible for approximately 20% of all transport related carbon emissions. Decarbonising this sector is therefore critical to achieving our national climate targets. Gas-fuelled vehicles offer a practical and proven pathway to delivering immediate emissions reductions.

“CNG is a key enabler of more sustainable supply chains, and the first step towards net zero commercial transport in Ireland. The CNG GRAZE grant scheme is a practical and targeted measure that supports businesses in making the switch to lower emission commercial vehicles. It’s a strong example of how government and industry can work together to accelerate climate action.

“We’ve partnered with some of the country’s leading forecourt operators and haulage companies to make low carbon gas a viable, accessible fuel alternative for Irish transport operators, with strategic locations across Dublin, Cavan, Limerick and Tipperary. 

Brian Bolger, Group Operations Director at Panda, added: “Panda is delighted to partner with Gas Networks Ireland to provide the infrastructure needed to help grow the use of CNG, both in our own fleet, and across the wider HGV sector. We currently have 32 CNG-powered HGVs and plan to add another 24 to our fleet within the next two years, as part of our plan to achieve net zero for our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040.  Our trucks that use the Cappagh facility serve waste collections in the Fingal area, and within the next 12 months, all of our bin trucks in Fingal will operating on CNG and eventually moving to BioCNG.“

“As a circular economy business, we’re proud to be part of the solution to decarbonise the HGV sector in Ireland by providing the infrastructure that will help grow the use of CNG – and ultimately renewable gas. Our CNG facilities at Cappagh and Ballymount are part of the journey to a new cleaner fuel source for heavy vehicles.” 

Applications and further details, including terms and conditions, will be available at www.gasnetworks.ie/grazefund