Collaboration on the use of rapeseed oil on industrial trucks at Keflavík Airport

Sveinbjörn Indriðason, CEO of Isavia ohf, and Jón Gunnar Jónsson, Director General of the Icelandic Transport Authority, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an experimental project involving the addition of rapeseed oil to the fuel of larger industrial machinery at Keflavík Airport.

For some time, the Icelandic Transport Authority has been involved in studies on the use of rapeseed oil as an additive to fuel. Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Transport and Local Government, was present at the signing of the MoU. He stated that experiments with the cultivation of rapeseed with the goal of manufacturing biofuel have been ongoing for quite some time in Iceland. First by the Icelandic Maritime Administration and presently by the Icelandic Transport Authority with the involvement of the Icelandic universities and numerous farmers.

Jón Gunnar Jónsson, Director General of the Icelandic Transport Authority, states that it is exciting to continue to develop the project in collaboration with Isavia. The cultivation of bioenergy sources is a realistic option which may not necessarily replace other energy sources. Rapeseed oil may be eminently suitable as an additive for larger industrial machinery and thereby significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The Icelandic Transport Authority has focused on environmental issues in developmental projects and is delighted to welcome a new, dynamic partner.

Hrönn Ingólfsdóttir, Director of Corporate Strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Isavia, stated that one of the goals of Isavia is to reduce the use of fossil fuels within the company. “Most of the use can be traced to the large machinery used to service runways and airport facilities and to maintain them. There are no electrically operated versions available. By doing this we are finding new and more environmentally friendly energy sources to run them,” said Hrönn.

The additive will be tested on one machine to begin with. The emissions and consumption of the machine will be measured and the results summarised in a report issued by the Icelandic Transport Authority.

Sveinbjörn Indriðason, Isavia CEO, said that the company established social responsibility policies in 2016, where the goal is to promote a balance between the economy, environment and society, with sustainability as a guiding light. “We have, as of 2018, carbon offset all our own fuel use, so our actions speak for themselves,” said Sveinbjörn. “The MoU signed here is an important step toward decreasing fossil fuel use at Isavia.”

The farmer Ólafur Eggertsson at Þorvaldseyri was present at the signing of the MoU. Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Transport and Local Government, poured oil produced by Ólafur into a digger from Isavia that was then driven about the airport area. The Minister congratulated the members of the project on taking this ecological step. “The cultivation of rapeseed and the use of its products has many advantages for both the farming community and as an environmentally friendly energy source. Today we are taking an important step on what is just the beginning of an important journey.”