Irish News
With the world as we know it in turmoil and the
UKIFDA EXPO, one of the biggest events in the fuel
oil calendar, postponed until August, Aine Faherty
our Irish correspondent, caught up with UKIFDA Irish
representative Nick Hayes to ask him how industry
players are coping and what we can expect from the
industry as we look ahead.
In such unprecedented times, oil fuel industry
members have adapted well, according to Nick
Hayes, Irish representative for UKIFDA. “They
have been working incredibly hard as demand
for heating oil rose rapidly when Ireland went
into lockdown”. Coming hot on the heels of the
usual high winter demand this also coincided
with an increased demand for green diesel as
the farming community began the intensive
work of spring having been delayed by the
bad weather of February and the early part of
March.
“When lockdown came members swiftly
changed processes and protocol in order
to meet government COVID-19 guidelines
including staff segregation, remote working
systems, basing drivers at major terminal
locations rather than the depot and cab
sanitisation.” Nick reports. “All this whilst trying
to answer 4 or 5 times the normal level of calls
for March and April with declining staff and
driver numbers due to the virus.”
Describing the challenges faced Nick
continued; “Being based at major terminal
locations aids deliveries straight from refineries
but due to the unprecedented demand,
tanker drivers were experiencing queuing
and long waits when collecting fuel. This
added to the already increasing overheads for
many members, but these measures were all
necessary to meet the growing demand from
consumers and ensure our Members could
prioritise the elderly and most vulnerable.”
The situation has been changing almost
daily and UKIFDA has supported members
across Ireland as well as liaising with the Irish
government and the Irish Petroleum Industry
Association (IPIA).
Communication and representation
“We have been in constant contact
with members, issuing updates via our
membercomms emails,” Nick explains. “These
covered everything from advice to consumers,
information on government directives and
updates to members on significant changes
such as a relaxation of drivers’ hours
regulations from the Road Safety Authority
(RSA) in Ireland. The latter was essential in
helping members meet the unprecedented
demand for liquid fuels although we also
recognised that there are limitations to the
relaxation of working time directives.”
With various restrictions in place, UKIFDA
has continued to liaise with other relevant
bodies and, as the UKIFDA Irish representative,
Nick worked closely with the Health and Safety
Authority (HSA) to agree an extension to the
end of November on ADR licences which expire
over the next 6 months.
As the warmer weather kicks in, the
demand for heating oil will decrease but many
members will still be supplying farms with green
diesel. Businesses have expressed concerns over
the significantly decreased demand from both
the industrial sector and road fuels and UKIFDA
is monitoring the situation as well as offering
members advice on government assistance
including business grants.
“FORWARD THINKING
MEMBERS CAN HELP
SHAPE THE FUTURE OF
OUR INDUSTRY,”
A role to play in shaping the future
Looking ahead to the time when the current
crisis inevitably subsides Nick suggests that
there may be an initial surge in demand for
diesel as the commercial / industrial sectors
reawaken and those involved in retail may
also see increased demand for deliveries. In
the medium to long term, he sees the ongoing
development of liquid biofuels gathering
pace and as the industry transitions towards a
carbon neutral future, UKIFDA believes there
will be opportunities for businesses to diversify.
“Forward thinking members can help
shape the future of our industry,” Nick suggests.
“The government talks about our heating
industry retaining its position as a world leader
and with research and development incentives
we believe we can help to lead the change. As
an industry we are committed to working with
the government to find a way of meeting their
carbon reduction targets as well as creating a
future for our members.”
Announcements made in the 2019
budget in Ireland of a €6 increase in carbon
tax on heating oil and gas oil to come into
effect in May this year, led to UKIFDA lobbying
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Urging
government to delay the implementation,
UKIFDA explained how this would not only
affect households badly affected by COVID 19
but also the farming community. At time of
writing it awaits his response.
In setting a route to carbon reduction
targets UKIFDA strongly believes the
government needs to maintain a technology-
neutral approach to encourage all industries
to seek solutions. Nick emphasises the point;
“Different solutions will suit different homes
and budgets and policy must be focussed on
ensuring that heating systems are appropriate
to a property’s heating requirements while
clearly demonstrating both carbon abatements
and strong particle emission controls.”
Looking forward to emerging from the
restrictions of the current lockdown Nick is
feeling positive about this year’s EXPO taking
place in the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on
August 18th & 19th.
“It has a fantastic line up of speakers
showcasing the industry’s hard work regarding
plans to meet the government’s carbon
emission targets through the introduction of
biofuels.” Nick enthuses.
“It will be a fantastic way to celebrate
getting through this awful time and we look
forward to seeing some old and new friends
there.”
Fuel Oil News | May 2020 13