Biofuels project goes ahead despite uncertainty over South African biofuels legislation

Siyanda Biodiesel is moving ahead with development of its soybean biodiesel plant despite the government’s delay of the announcement of its biofuel legislative program. The project will plant its first crop of soybean next month in KwaZulu-Natal, and will ultimately produce 100,000 tons per year of biodiesel.

The project is a joint venture between petrochemicals conglomerate Sasol, the South African government-owned Central Energy Fund, and Siyanda. Sasol has stated that it does not feel biodiesel development is viable in South Africa without government support, and reportedly wished to delay the project until the South African government announced its program.

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