Bio-Energy NL is planning to set up a 300 Million Liter/yr biodiesel refinery in Northern Luzon which will have coconuts as it’s feedstock. The company has gotten initial funding from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)for the 6 month feasibility study. If the feasibility study comes out positive, JBIC will also fund the $300 million required to setup the refinery and the 500,000 ha coconut farm.
The length of time needed to construct the plant will be 3 years while harvesting of the coconuts will be 4 years from planting. The biodiesel will be exported to Japan in order to meet Japan’s 5% mandatory biodiesel blend in diesel by 2007 (to be increased to 20% by 2020.)
I have a feeling that there is going to be a potential debate here. Assuming that the Philippine Biofuels Act of 2006 gets passed in 2007. Within 2 years the minimum requirement for Biodiesel mixture in the Philippines will be 2%. If the Philippines cannot meet this with it’s local sources its going to raise quite a hoot if Bio-Energy NL comes online 5 years from now and starts exporting its biodiesel instead of selling it locally. Ah the moral dilemma, export earnings or clean air for the Philippines? But of course I’m thinking too negatively here considering that there might not be a shortage.
Orginal Article here from the Philippine Star
Category: Biodiesel
