Mandatory fuel blending coming soon to Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe government will soon introduce mandatory blending following a directive from Vice President Joice Mujuru that the Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant should resume operations.
The Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant is owned by Green Fuel, which is a joint venture between Macdom, Rating Investments, and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA).
It is currently the only producer of ethanol in Zimbabwe.
Energy and Power Development Deputy Minister Comrade Hubert Nyanhongo told the Herald that he would meet officials from the Zimbabwe Regulatory Authority to work on the issuance of a license that would enable Green Fuel to sell anhydrous ethanol to all licensed oil companies in Zimbabwe.
This followed the issuing of regulations making it mandatory for all licensed oil companies to sell petrol blended with a minimum of 5% of locally produced ethanol.
“The VP made an instruction in her capacity as acting president and it was an instruction directed to us as a ministry,” said Nyanhongo.
Nyanhongo said he would do everything in his power to ensure that Green Fuel gets a license as soon as possible.
Nyanhongo said it was unfortunate that after the formation of the inclusive government some people thought that it was a Zanu-PF project.
“The Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant has created a lot of opportunities for the country. It is unfortunate that some people think that it is a Zanu-PF project and that is why they are against it,” he said.
More than 4,500 workers had been laid off after the plant was closed in February 2012.
 
(March 25, 2013)