Philippine government to review biofuels programme

The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) said it will consider more realistic targets for the country’s bioethanol program. Undersecretary Jay Layug said that despite increased demand, the Philippines’ bioethanol production has remained largely undeveloped since the Biofuels Law was passed in 2006. “Five years ago the government wanted us to be a top ethanol producer in Asia but we are not anywhere near that,” Layug added. The combined bioethanol production of three main plants in the Philippines is currently 79 million liters per annum. The government expects demand to reach 500 million liters later this year; to help reach this target, Green Futures Innovations has constructed a new plant which will be commissioned this year and will produce 54 million liters a year. The review follows an earlier statement made by the DOE, which prioritizes the use of locally produced bioethanol as a blend to gasoline. (May 14, 2012)