Renewables certification milestone for Tesco’s unique biofuel

Tesco has become first UK retailer to receive government certification for a fully renewable ethanol biofuel.

Energy ombudsman Ofgem awarded the supermarket a Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC), following two years of research and development to produce the fuel. It is based on ethanol created from organic waste products, and is currently being used successfully in waste-to-energy generators at two supermarkets in Dumfries and Manchester.

Tesco’s new Renewables Obligation Certificate confirms that the biofuel is 100% renewable, and contains no traces of traditional fossil fuels.

The certification also enables the supermarket to issue its own ROCs for the fuel, and to sell these certificates to energy companies. This will allow Tesco to generate revenue from the sale of ROCs, as well as from electricity produced by the ethanol fuel.

The development of this renewable energy source is a significant step for Tesco towards achieving the goal of halving its carbon emissions by 2020. The company has also announced its aim to be a carbon neutral retailer by 2050.

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