South African biofuels strategy due by end of year: only surplus land to be used for biofuels

In South Africa, the national government will release a highly-anticipated biofuels industry strategy by the end of the year. A draft report released last year recommended that 75 percent of the 2013 national renewables target be met through biofuels.

The report is said to focus on using surplus agricultural capacity, to avoid conflicts with food production.

The Southern African Biofuels Association says it needs between $293 million and $734 million in capital funding from the government to jump-start the industry, but Mosibudi Mangena, Minister of Science and Technology said in July the government was unlikely to be able to meet such demands.

Groups such as Sasol have indicated they will move into biofuel development only after the announcement of government policy, and contingent on government capital spending support or other forms of assistance such as subsidies.

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