Philippines to increase ethanol production

Ethanol production in the Philippines will be bolstered by an additional 133.4 million liters next year, which will bring total output to more than 200 million liters per year. Department of Energy (DoE) statistics show that with the expected increase in domestic output, roughly half of the oil industry’s requirements will be met based on the current 10% blend by volume. At present, demand for ethanol is 420 million liters but local ethanol production capacity is only around 79 million liters. In May this year, Green Futures Innovation will begin commercial production of ethanol, adding 54 million liters per year to the existing production output. Also coming on-stream are the Canlaon Alcogreen plant in Bago City, Negros Occidental, which can produce up to 45 million liters yearly. The DoE recently issued a circular aimed at attracting inflow of investments for the construction of bioethanol plants. (January 25, 2012)