The Department of Energy(DOE) contested Sen. Migs “Mr. Biofuels” Zubiri’s claim that they weren’t doing enough to attract investors to the Philippines to setup biofuel processing plants.
DOE Sec. Angelo Reyes said that there are already about P12 B worth of projects lined up that will produce 240 million liters annually in support of the 223 million liters/year demand of a 5% bioethanol mixture in petrol by 2009 as mandated by the Philippine Biofuels Bill.
Of these projects, four have already received letters of endorsement from the DOE to the Philippine Board of Investments in order to avail of benefits under the 2007 Investments Priorities Plan (Listed under E. Energy). Through which they can be granted pioneer status which gives them tax incentives and other perks.
Of the 4 Bioethanol companies mentioned, 3 hail from the Visayas Region with 1 found in Luzon. These companies are:
- San Carlos Bioenergy Inc - A P2.5 billion investment for a 30 million li/year capacity plant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
- JG Summit - A P800 million investment for a 30 million li/year plant in Manjuyod, Negros Oriental.
- Biofuels 88/Flying V - A P500 million investment for a 9 million li/year plant in Mariveles, Bataan.
- Leyte Agri - A P35.9 million investment for a 9 million li/year plant in Ormoc, Leyte.
The other companies which received DOE endorsement for registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are:
- First Pampanga Biofuels Corp
- South Bukidnon Bioenergy Inc
- Zambo Norte Bioenergy Corp
- Renewable Alternative Fuel Inc
- Kanlaon Alcogreen
- Negros Green Resources
- Pampanga Industrial Park
- Hope 8 Manufacturing and Trading Corp
- Eastern Renewables Fuels Corp
- Petrolift Holdings, Inc.
Those who sent letters of intent to the DOE as prospective entrants to the bioethanol business are:
- Negros Southern Integrated Biofuels Corp
- J.G. Itochu
- Tamlang Valley Ethanol
- Pampanga Industrial Park
- B.M. SB Integrated Biofuels
- Negros Biochem Corp
- Fuel Inc
- Ginebra San Miguel Inc.
It was mentioned a while back that San Miguel Corp (Ginebra San Miguel Inc.) was set to diversify from its core business of producing “spirits.” I noted that it would be great if they entered the biofuel business because they have the correct skill set required for the bioethanol processing gained from their decades long experience in fermenting beer and raising crops for feedstock. Looks like they were already thinking of doing that already.
Great news indeed for the emerging Philippine Biofuels Market. Don’t forget to apply for carbon credits when you start operating those bioethanol distilleries of yours you hear?!
Category: Bioethanol, San Miguel
May 5th, 2008 at 11:19 am
hi marc,
any updates on whats happening in the philippine biofuel (specifically) bioethanol sector?
thanks!
May 20th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Hi Reden,
Just what I’m seeing in the news. No inside information though
August 21st, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Is there a list of investor (local and foriegn) or company that engage/or to be engage in putting up a ethanol plant here in the philippines? If you have please send me a copy. I’m in the process of making a feasibility study in ethanol business. You can send it in my email mbmentes@yahoo.com. Thanks!!!!