Philippines optimistic about sweet sorghum-based ethanol production

Philippine National Oil Co. Alternative Fuels Corp. (PNOC-AFC) is exploring the setting up of a 1,000-hectare sweet sorghum plantation in Negros Occidental. The plantation would be the first step towards the company’s first commercial scale production of sweet sorghum-based ethanol. The project would be a global milestone which would require a Php45-75 million (US$1.04 million to US$1.7 million) investment and will have a production cost of P30, 000-50,000 (US$695 to US$1,159) per hectare. Harvested canes will be used to produce sweet sorghum syrup, which will be converted into ethanol, at San Carlos City in Negros Occidental. As much as 2.5 million liters of ethanol can be produced yearly from 1,000 hectares or 2,500 liters per hectare. After several years of research and inter-agency coordination funded by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Research, commercial production is expected to follow. (September 28, 2011)