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By Nick Crolla, head of sales and marketing at Rubis Channel Islands
We recognise that the choices we make around fuel and energy as a community play an important role in achieving climate goals for our islands. Reducing carbon emissions and offering alternatives to fossil-fuel products with renewables and energy-efficient solutions is at the heart of Rubis Channel Islands’ strategy.
With a growing range of climate friendly products for vehicles, homes and businesses, and marine use, Rubis has been transitioning as a business and is committed to help improve the environment. From renewable fuels to solar power and super-efficient technologies, we are already delivering solutions using multiple energy sources to make our islands cleaner for tomorrow.
For the road
The first wave of Rubis’s transition was more than four years ago, when we launched 100% renewable diesel, Rubis RD100, in the Channel Islands, and Sion Garage was the first garage in the British Isles as well as Europe to sell the new grade.
Made entirely from 100% renewable materials, the revolutionary fuel outperforms other biodiesels and fossil diesel and will cut global carbon emissions from diesel engines by up to 90% over its lifecycle. It is a drop-in alternative to regular diesel, which is fully compatible with any existing diesel distribution infrastructure and diesel combustion engine, with no need for modifications to make the switch.
Since the launch, there has been a lot of demand, especially from businesses using commercial vehicles, to promote behavioural change within the organisation, that made them switch to renewable diesel. Woodside Logistics and 4Hire were the first to make the switch to RD100, with many other organisations starting to trial the product. For drivers of diesel vehicles, this fantastic alternative fuel is also available at selected forecourts – First Tower and Falles Airport, besides Sion Garage.
For homes and businesses renewable heating oil
After the success with renewable diesel, we also introduced an immediate solution to reduce carbon emissions for oil-heated households and businesses in the Channel Islands in 2021 – a 100% renewable heating oil under the name EcoHeat100.
We believe if a customer wants to be carbon neutral they should have a choice between energy providers and not have to spend thousands of pounds on a new heating system. EcoHeat100 enables heating-oil customers to do just that – switch their fuel rather than their entire heating system. While EcoHeat100 is slightly more expensive than traditional heating oil, for those looking to switch over to electricity to be environmentally conscious, EcoHeat100 is a cost-effective option in comparison to installing a new electric heating system.
Ecoboilers
According to the Government of Jersey’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, new fossil-fuel boiler installations will be banned from 2026 in Jersey. However, the EcoBoiler will not be a part of this ban, as it can run on renewable heating oil such as EcoHeat100.
Solar
Last year, Rubis Group announced a strategic acquisition of French solar-energy firm Photosol to accelerate the transition to renewable energies and decarbonation. Locally, we carried out our first solar PV installation in 2021 and now have the ability to leverage the expertise and experience of a larger group.
For the sea
Alongside providing quality road fuel, heating oil and heating services, we also provide marine fuel and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) for sea use. Thanks to our comprehensive supply network, we are able to provide premium-quality bio-free marine fuels at competitive prices in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.
