Six Thai ethanol plants to start operations in 2010

Six new ethanol plants with a combined capacity of 1.97 million liters a day will come on stream in Thailand this year, Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency Director-General Krairit Nilkuha said. There are currently 17 ethanol plants operating with a total capacity of 2.58 million liters a day, while domestic demand is around 1.2 million liters day, he said. No new biodiesel plants will start operations in 2010, but some existing plants will expand capacity, Krairit said. There are 13 biodiesel plants currently operating with a total capacity of 4.46 million liters a day, while consumption is at 1.56 million liters a day, he said. (January 8, 2010)