In Colombia, the national government has issued a directive that, commencing in 2012, all vehicles must have E85 flex-fuel capability. The announcement comes as the government confirmed that it expects to reach its national VB5 and E10 targets in 2010. Production of both ethanol and biodiesel will set a new high this year and up to five new biodiesel plants are expected to open this year.
Colombia is second in biofuels production in South America, trailing only Brazil, and will produce 137 million gallons of ethanol this year at five facilities.
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Joelle Brink | Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Colombia began producing ethanol only three years ago, and started off with the state of the art in planning, agricultural expertise and production technology–combined with very strict land use and environmental regulations.
Its sugar productivity per acre is the highest in the world and at present uses only one compact central valley, minimizing transportation costs. Expansion along the same model is planned to two other growing areas.
Ethanol production facilities are co-located in growing areas and use the latest Praj Industries ethanol production technology, which minimizes water use and turns vinasse into fertilizer.
With these efficiencies I would be surprised if Colombia didn’t meet its production targets. This January the USDA’s Economic Research Service published a study of the Colombian ethanol production as an international model.