Renewable Fuels Help Lead Construction Industry Towards Lower Carbon Emissions

The Canadian construction season is in full swing with the industry set to join growing commitments from all sectors to meet zero emissions regulations. As it strives to reduce emissions across its value chain, one key area gaining attention from the construction industry is low carbon fuel options to power heavy equipment – the majority of which currently operates on diesel fuel.

Canadian fuel supplier, Greenergy, is already helping construction businesses across Ontario reduce their emissions. With a strong history in renewables, Greenergy is expanding its supply of ultra-low-sulphur diesel with high renewable content. Renewable content refers to biological materials, including crops, forest residues, and organic waste, all blended into diesel to produce a lower carbon (or bio-based) fuel, also referred to as biodiesel. These fuels are especially significant for the construction sector because of industry efforts to further reduce its carbon footprint from diesel machinery. “Choosing an approved biodiesel blend decreases greenhouse gases and is vital to help the industry reduce carbon emissions,” said Mike Healey, Greenergy’s Vice President of Commercial and Business Development. “Using biodiesel not only helps reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80 percent, but also supports the construction industry’s sustainability goals,” he said.

With a commitment to meet customer needs, Greenergy focuses on supply security because the company is not dependent on domestic refiners or any other third parties for its raw materials. It is also capable of blending fuels to high specifications at its terminals across Ontario, supplying biodiesel blends to suit customer preferences that can range from the standard B4 to B45 and higher.

Healey noted Greenergy’s blending, and distribution infrastructure includes extensive access to rail, as well as road, allowing the company to serve remote operations in a cost-effective manner. “Switching to biodiesel fuel can also generate significant carbon tax credits. A contractor using 40,000 litres of B45 (45% blended), for example, is eligible to earn a tax credit of approximately $2,350 or more,” he said.

For Canadian construction firms, switching to Greenergy offers advantages others find hard to match, including:

• A unique supply chain capability with the flexibility to source products for its customers through multiple channels, thus reducing dependency on domestic refiners.
• Access, at any given time, to numerous supply points for its terminals from the US mid-west to Quebec, and Ontario.
• Quality fuels, continually tested and verified by third-party laboratories.
• A wide range of higher percentage biodiesel-blends designed to help customers reduce carbon emissions.
• 99% product availability at its terminals in the Toronto area, northern and eastern Ontario.
• Competitive pricing and a commitment to customer service.

Almost all heavy-duty construction equipment can run on biodiesel blends, such as those Greenergy provides. The same can be said for newer, more technically advanced hybrid equipment models and this will be particularly important as the industry continues to evolve and decarbonize.

As part of its growth plans, Greenergy is also planning to expand its supply footprint to other regions, bringing its low carbon fuels closer to construction sites across Canada.

“We believe choosing reduced-emission biofuels for heavy equipment is yet another step towards supporting the country’s low-carbon economy,” concluded Healey

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